Utility projects changes in gas, electricity costs

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - NorthWestern Energy is projecting residential customers’ bills for natural gas will go down, while electricity goes up.

The utility said in a statement Friday the projected natural gas supply rate beginning in July should result in a decrease of $15.73 a month for a typical residential customer using 100 therms per month.

But the projected electricity supply cost is forecast to result in an increase of $5 per month on a typical residential bill.

NorthWestern says electricity rates didn’t reflect the actual market costs for the 12 months that will end June 30. The utility says that resulted in the rate adjustment that is needed to collect the $32 million to recover its costs.