Gianforte appoints former commissioner to PSC

Gov. Greg Gianforte appointed Kirk Bushman to the Montana Public Service Commission during the suspension of Commissioner Brad Molnar.

Bushman, a Republican on the PSC from 2013 through 2016, is tapped to serve a temporary appointment on the regulatory board through July 8, 2027.

“Kirk brings decades of engineering experience and a strong understanding of the important work of the Public Service Commission,” Gianforte said in a statement. “Having previously served on the commission, Kirk understands the responsibility of ensuring Montanans have access to reliable, affordable utility services.”

In July, Gianforte suspended Molnar after an investigation into allegations of professional misconduct including sexual harassment. 

Molnar is fighting the suspension in Lewis and Clark District Court. His lawyer, Matthew Monforton, said Bushman lost the last three Republican primaries for the seat, including against Molnar in 2024.

“Judge (Mike) Menahan is still deciding whether the governor had any authority to suspend an elected commissioner in the first place — and still deciding whether to block any appointment to this seat,” Monforton said. “The governor didn’t wait for the judge. He decided the judge was optional.”

Any plans to swear in Bushman at the PSC were not immediately clear. A PSC spokesperson said Wednesday “it’s a highly fluid situation and we are seeking clarity.”

The PSC regulates monopoly utilities in Montana including NorthWestern Energy, the state’s largest public utility.

Bushman is a graduate of Montana State University and has a degree in mechanical engineering technology, according to the news release from the Governor’s Office. It said he has more than 30 years of experience in industrial engineering.

The PSC is made up of five commissioners elected by district.

If seated, Bushman will represent District 2, which includes Carbon, Park and Stillwater counties and parts of Big Horn, Gallatin, Rosebud, Sweet Grass and Yellowstone counties, the news release said.

He was among five candidates who applied for the position and the only former commissioner to do so.

“I look forward to his service on behalf of Montana ratepayers,” Gianforte said.