Electricity rates in Columbus, MT
Columbus (2,042 people, Stillwater County) is served by 2 electric utilities. Homes on NorthWestern Energy pay about 15.71¢/kWh, 14% more than the Montana average.
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Electric companies serving Columbus
| Utility | Type | Rate | Avg bill | Homes (statewide) | Outage min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NorthWestern Energy | Investor-owned utility | 15.71¢ | $111 | 334K | 125 |
| Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-op | Electric cooperative | 14.79¢ | $132 | 21K | — |
Power outages in Stillwater County right now
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Outage history in Stillwater County
| 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Outage minutes per customer | 38 | 196 |
| Days with outages | 4 | 11 |
| Most customers out at once | 551 (10.2%) | 754 (14%) |
| Worst day | 2024-06-27 | 2025-12-18 |
Outage minutes by month, 2025
More outage time than 2024 (38 min). Data: ORNL EAGLE-I county outage snapshots every 15 minutes, covering all utilities in the county.
Nearby cities
- Absarokee 15.7¢
- Laurel 15.7¢
- Red Lodge 15.7¢
- Big Timber 15.7¢
- Billings 14.8¢
- Lockwood 14.8¢
- Livingston 15.7¢
- Roundup 15.7¢
- Hardin 15.7¢
- Bozeman 15.7¢
ZIP codes: 59019
Frequently asked questions
What is the electricity rate in Columbus?
Most homes in Columbus get power from NorthWestern Energy, where residential customers pay an average of 15.71¢/kWh including all charges. The Montana average is 13.84¢ and the U.S. average 17.99¢. Other utilities serving parts of Columbus: Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-op (14.79¢).
What is the average electric bill in Columbus?
About $111 a month, based on 707 kWh a month (the average for NorthWestern Energy customers) at 15.71¢/kWh. Homes with electric heat, pools or EVs pay more.
Who is the electric company in Columbus, MT?
2 utilities serve Columbus's ZIP codes: NorthWestern Energy, Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-op. Which one serves you depends on your street address.
How often does the power go out in Columbus?
In 2025, customers in Stillwater County averaged 3 hr 16 min without power. Outages hit 11 days of the year, and the worst day was 2025-12-18, when 754 customers (14%) were out. Source: ORNL EAGLE-I.