Program Overview
The Department of Environmental Quality is the designated primary state agency for several energy emergency planning initiatives:
ESF-12 covers the energy components of emergencies and natural disasters under the Montana Emergency Response Framework (MERF), which is modeled on the federal National Response Framework established by the Department of Homeland Security. The Disaster and Emergency Services Division, Department of Military Affairs, is the coordinating agency for the MERF. As the primary agency for ESF-12, DEQ is the subject matter expert on energy within state government’s emergency response and also could play operational roles. Its responsibilities are laid out in the ESF-12 Annex.
The State Energy Security Plan (SESP) guides DEQ in particular and state agencies in general in responding to emergencies involving the energy sector. The ESF-12 annex to the MERF incorporates the SESP by reference. As a stand-alone, comprehensive plan, the SESP expands on the essential elements of state agency roles and responsibilities under the ESF-12 annex and the Energy Supply Emergency Powers Act.
The Energy Supply Emergency Powers Act (Title 90, Chapter 4, part 3, MCA) and accompanying rules set requirements for information exchanges prior to major energy emergencies and outline potential actions the governor might request or order of state and local governments, the energy sector, and consumers during major emergencies. These emergency powers are specific to energy and are in addition to the emergency powers in Title 10 of Montana Code Annotated. Unlike the ESF-12 annex or the SESP, this act focuses on the most serious events — those for which the governor formally declares an energy emergency. DEQ serves as staff to administer the act and update the rules.
Energy Security and Resilience Contacts
Energy Resource Professional
John Walden (406) 444-2933
Energy Resource Professional
Jessi Finstad (406) 444-1842
The Department of Environmental Quality, Energy Bureau received federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy under Section 40101(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to fund projects focused on strengthening and modernizing Montana's power grid against wildfires, extreme weather, and other natural disasters. Additional information is available on the Grid Resiliency and Reliability Grants page.
This annex is a part of the Montana Emergency Response Framework (MERF) and was designed to be consistent with higher-level plans, including the National Response Framework (NRF). The purpose of this annex is to provide guidance and information to support the state’s response in the event of an energy emergency.
Specifically, the purpose of the ESF-12 function includes the following:
- To coordinate the state’s efforts in the restoration and protection of Montana’s critical electricity, natural gas, and liquid fuels infrastructure and related fuel supply systems during and following a disaster or significant disruption.
- To establish DEQ as a single point of contact and liaison for the state on energy issues in the event of an emergency, providing direct coordination with all relevant state, regional, local, and federal entities as well as with private entities.
- To meet planning and situational awareness needs of the governor, policy makers, and other ESF partners during an emergency.
- To meet requests for assistance from local utilities, fuel suppliers, and deliverers to facilitate restoration and protection efforts or to channel those requests to the appropriate operational units.
- To provide energy consumers with advice on ways to meet their energy needs during the emergency.
ESF-12 Annex (Revised draft August 2025)
The Montana State Energy Security Plan (SESP) outlines the state government's strategy for addressing the full range of potential energy emergencies in Montana, including major infrastructure disruptions or supply shortages caused by natural disasters, economic shifts, or evolving market conditions.
This SESP identifies potential measures the state government may implement to mitigate the impacts of a developing energy emergency. It operates under the premise that voluntary measures are generally preferred over mandatory directives, and market forces are favored over quotas or other directives that affect energy product pricing and/or availability. However, circumstances may arise in which state intervention is necessary.
The SESP will guide state government’s own procedures and provides a framework for action. The plan emphasizes preparedness, coordination, and flexibility. This plan is developed to foster coordination and mutual support between the efforts of the energy sector and the state in the event of an energy emergency. The plan is designed to remain flexible in addressing the wide range of potential energy emergencies that may arise.
This plan outlines how the state will collect and assess information about a developing emergency, communicate the energy sector's needs to state agencies and departments capable of providing assistance, inform and advise the public, and provide - if necessary and to the extent possible - allocate essential services and energy resources during an emergency.
For more information on the 2025 MONTANA STATE ENERGY PLAN, please contact John Walden at (406) 444-2933 or Jessi Finstad at (406) 444-1842