Viewpoint: Time for a new voice on PSC – vote Evans

Deb Carstensen

In the real world, if you don’t do your job, you lose it. If you are an elected official the firing process is simple, voters pick somebody more trustworthy and competent.

Montana’s Public Service Commission was created to ensure that ratepayers have continued access to utility services that are affordable, reliable, and sustainable.

As Vice President of the Montana Public Service Commission, Jennifer Fielder voted to approve a controversial and maligned 28% rate increase for our residential electric and gas rates.

This allowed Northwestern Energy to put the squeeze on Montana families. Now the company says it needs even more money from customers. They claim they need an 8% increase but could triple that. Given the PSC track record, why should we trust the current Republican-dominated Public Service Commission to rein in Northwestern Energy?

To add insult to injury, a 2024 routine legislative audit revealed that Public Service Commissioners were spending our hard-earned tax dollars on flight upgrades and expensive computer gear.

The audit proved that some commissioners falsified documents so they wouldn’t get caught wasting our money. The current PSC is a farce and Montana taxpayers deserve better. Let’s give Jennifer Fielder a pink slip and elect a competent, watchdog for the PSC.

Elena Evans, an independent will listen to everyday Montanans and make decisions in a transparent manner. Evans believes Montana utilities need to think foreword (for future generations of Montanans) and discuss their expenses openly and honestly.

She will work to protect Montana families rather than energy corporations. Tom Schneider, a highly respected former PSC Commissioner who served 3 terms, strongly supports Elena Evans. If you want a PSC that represents YOU, vote Elena Evans for PSC.