Less than a week after launching his Unleashing American-Made Energy Task Force, Governor Greg Gianforte announced the 20 members appointed to guide Montana’s energy future.
“Montana’s future and the prosperity of our people require access to affordable and reliable energy,” Gianforte said. “Just as important, our nation’s security requires us to be not only energy independent, but also energy dominant. With our abundant resources, Montana can and should play a key role in unleashing American-made energy.”
Created through an executive order, the task force is charged with developing recommendations the legislature could consider, and the governor could implement into law, to advance energy production in Montana.
Leadership of the task force will include:
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Sonja Nowakowski, Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, as Chair
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Marta Bertoglio, Director of the Department of Commerce, as Vice Chair
The 20-member task force brings together state agency leaders, legislators, local officials, industry representatives, economists, and researchers. Key members include:
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Sen. Chris Pope (D-Bozeman) – Vice Chair, 2025 Senate Energy, Technology & Federal Relations Committee
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Rep. Gary Parry (R-Colstrip) – Chair, 2025 House Energy, Technology & Federal Relations Committee
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Shannon L. Brown, Managing Director, Talen Energy
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Mike Cashell, Vice President – Transmission, NorthWestern Energy
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John Chesser, CEO & Co-Founder, Quantica
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Rob Corbin, Senior VP of Energy Development, Sabey Data Centers
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Sean Farrell, COO, TeraWulf Inc.
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Ryan Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Development, NextEra Energy Resources
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Joe Geiger, Director of Generation, Montana-Dakota Utilities
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Spencer Gray, Executive Director, Northwest & Intermountain Power Producers Coalition
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Travis Kavulla, VP of Regulatory Affairs, NRG; former Montana Public Service Commissioner
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Mark Lambrecht, CEO, Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association
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Dan Lloyd, Senior Manager of Community Relations, Grid United
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Bob Morris, Lance Energy Chair, Montana Technological University
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Ed Rihn, President & CEO, BHE Canada
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Andrew Schneider, U.S. Energy Manager, GCC
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Kate Wilson, Montana Liaison, Bonneville Power Administration
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Sarah Clerget, Of Counsel, Holland & Hart
The task force will convene its first meeting on September 22, with a final report of recommendations and strategies due by September 15, 2026. Gianforte expressed gratitude for the members’ commitment to shaping Montana’s energy policies.
By: Montana Newsroom staff
