Electric Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC)

Severe weather is forecasted across our service area this week. Find the latest outage information on our outage map.

Be prepared, stay safe! Extreme wind event forecasted across our service area this week.

The U.S. Weather Service is forecasting extreme winds this week.

Our crews are prepared with additional staffing, equipment, and supplies to respond as quickly as possible, safely, to weather‑related outages.

It’s critical to stay away from downed or low‑hanging power lines. If you see a damaged or fallen line, keep your distance and report it immediately. Never touch a power line or anything in contact with it, including trees. Keep people, pets, equipment, and objects at least 30 feet away, and never attempt to remove a fallen tree or branch from a power line.

For the latest weather alerts and forecasts, visit the South Dakota National Weather Service sites at Sioux Falls, SD and Aberdeen, SD.

Home
About Us
Gas & Electric
Montana Electric Supply Planning
Electric Technical Advisory Committee

SELECT A SECTION:

The Electric Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC) is established under Montana Code Annotated § 69-3-1208 and the Administrative Rules of Montana 38.5.2023. It serves as an advisory body to NorthWestern Energy, providing input and recommendations on various issues related to our electricity system, particularly in the areas of portfolio planning, resource management and procurement as part of the development of the integrated resource plan (IRP) process.

Key Aspects of ETAC

Composition:

The ETAC membership was selected to balance the interests and expertise from consumer advocacy groups, government agencies, business concerns and academia in areas such as residential affordability (including low-income), economic development, environmental quality, regional power and transmission markets, consumer interests and regulatory oversight. Specifically, the ETAC is comprised of 6-8 entities who are able to serve in an advisory role based on their experience.

Purpose:

The primary goal of ETAC is to act as technical advisors through discussion, education, and collaboration on matters of future service and resources.
The committee is tasked with strengthening NorthWestern Energy’s resource planning efforts by providing insights and recommendations that take into account technical, economic and policy considerations.

Selection Criteria for Membership:

Members are selected based on their expertise in relevant fields, representation of diverse interests, and ability to contribute constructively to the advisory process.

By involving a wide range of stakeholders, ETAC helps NorthWestern Energy make more informed decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of its customers and the communities it serves.

More information on ETAC process and meetings as well as our stakeholder engagement process will be available soon.

NWE ETAC Meeting 2.25.2026

NorthWestern Energy ETAC Meeting

Wed, Feb 25, 2026 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (UTC-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada)

Link to Register

Download the agenda

We look forward to having you attend the event!

ETAC Integrated Resource Planning Library

Meeting materials and other documents can be found here.

Meeting 9

Oct. 29, 2025

Our Electric Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC)

Key Aspects of ETAC

Composition:

Purpose:

Selection Criteria for Membership:

NWE ETAC Meeting 2.25.2026

ETAC Integrated Resource Planning Library

NorthWestern Energy ETAC Committee Members

Montana Public Service Commission

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Montana Consumer Counsel

National Resource Defense Council

NorthWest Power and Conservation Council

Southwest Power Pool

Bureau of Business and Economic Research