Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Get an email or text notification when your bill is ready, a payment is due or more.
Login to My Energy Account and select “Notifications” from the menu. If you aren’t registered for My Energy Account, sign up today! It’s free and easy.
Get an email or text notification if your power goes out, when it is restored and more.
Login to My Energy Account and select “Notifications” from the menu. If you aren’t registered for My Energy Account, sign up today! It’s free and easy.
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.
Planning construction? A new build or a remodel? Demolition or an addition? We can help you move existing utility lines or install new ones. Visit our Construction Application for your service area and apply online or learn more about our Construction Services.
We offer many ways to connect with us:
During a Public Safety Power Shutoff, NorthWestern Energy will shut off power to certain lines in areas where wildfire risk is unacceptably high due to extreme weather conditions. This is done proactively before a wildfire starts burning.
This is different than a rolling blackout, when power is shutoff to stabilize the grid during periods of peak demand.
A Public Safety Power Shutoff is also different from fire-related outages where NorthWestern Energy shuts off certain power lines when a fire is burning toward them.
Be sure NorthWestern Energy has your current phone number and email address. Update your contact information by logging in to My Energy Account or by calling us at 888-467-2669.
Make a plan:
Stay safe if the power goes out:
Learn more about Public Safety Power Shutoffs
If you will be impacted by a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff, NorthWestern Energy will notify you directly multiple times throughout the process. You will receive an automated phone call and email from us before power is turned off and after it is restored.
However, we can only contact you if we have your correct contact information. Update your contact information by logging in to My Energy Account or by calling us at 888-467-2669.
NorthWestern Energy will also post information on our website and social media accounts about Public Safety Power Shutoffs. For the most up-to-date information during an event, visit NorthWesternEnergy.com.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs can vary in length. We will not restore power until weather conditions have improved to the point where we can safely operate the electrical grid. After the extreme weather conditions have passed, we will patrol electrical lines to make sure no branches, trees or other items have fallen into the lines. Once any damage has been repaired, NorthWestern Energy will restore power. A Public Safety Power Shutoff, plus the time to patrol and make repairs, could last several hours or even days. If storm damage occurs, restoration could take longer.
At least 48 hours before most Public Safety Power Shutoffs, NorthWestern Energy will notify customers who may be impacted. We will continue to update our customers as we monitor the situation and determine whether a power shutoff is necessary. Before power is turned off, all impacted customers will be contacted via phone and email (if we have your email address on file). Power will remain off until weather conditions have improved to the point where we can safely operate the electrical grid.
Customers will also be notified when their power has been restored.
Be sure NorthWestern Energy has your current phone number and email address. Update your contact information by logging in to My Energy Account or by calling us at 888-467-2669.
All customers should be prepared for outages, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs. Public Safety Power Shutoffs are most likely to occur where homes and other structures are built in wildfire-prone areas. This can include forested areas on the outskirts of larger towns or cities, or rural forested areas. However, a Public Safety Power Shutoff could also be needed near prairies, grasslands and farms. The least likely place to have a Public Safety Power Shutoff is in a populated, urban area.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs are used only during extreme weather conditions when there is a high risk of an electrical line igniting a wildfire. The primary factors we look at to determine when a Public Safety Power Shutoff is necessary are high temperatures, low humidity, dry vegetation and high wind.
We may turn off power when extreme weather conditions are expected but before they hit an area.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs are most likely to occur during fire season – the hot dry months in the summertime. However, it is possible to have a Public Safety Power Shutoff anytime of the year when it’s hot, dry and windy.
Date: Jun 9, 2025
TYPE: News
Helena, Mont. – June 9, 2025 – In opening remarks before the Montana Public Service Commission on the first day of the hearing on NorthWestern Energy’s request for a regulatory rate review, Sarah Norcott, Director of Regulatory Corporate Counsel for NorthWestern explained how the company’s investments benefit customers—both now and in the long term.
“We understand that any increase in utility bills is difficult, especially when families are already managing rising costs in other areas,” Norcott said. “That’s why we’ve worked hard to keep the impact as low as possible while still making the critical investments needed to keep the lights on and the heat flowing.”
Norcott said that although NorthWestern invested more than $800 million in its electric system over the past two years, the electric settlement results in a 1.7% revenue increase, below the originally proposed 8.3%. For the average residential customer, this translates to a 4.2% increase in their electric rate.
“NorthWestern accomplished this feat by making prudent decisions, managing costs, and always keeping our customers’ needs at the center of our planning,” she said.
Norcott detailed how those investments strengthen Montana’s energy infrastructure:
“These aren’t abstract numbers,” Norcott said. “They represent real improvements that help prevent outages, reduce wildfire risk, and ensure we can meet demand during Montana’s coldest nights and hottest days.”
She also emphasized that the YCGS project will ultimately reduce costs for customers.
“Customers will see a benefit overall in their net rates due to YCGS over the long term,” she said.
“Who is NorthWestern?” Norcott asked. “We are the people who show up—because we live here too.”
She shared an example. One cold evening this year in Anaconda, 71-year-old Derinda Johnson slipped on her icy sidewalk while taking out the trash. Alone and unable to get up, she waved desperately for help. It was Tom Wind, NorthWestern’s Anaconda Town Manager, who noticed her while driving home. He turned around, rushed to her side, and helped her safely back into her home.
“According to Derinda, he saved her life,” Norcott said. “This story personifies NorthWestern and what we are about.”
“While there is a lot of noise and opinions about the decisions NorthWestern makes, we take our responsibility seriously to keep the lights on and the heat flowing,” Norcott said. “The evidence in this case will show that the decisions NorthWestern has made over the last two years were prudent and comply with Montana law. What I ask is that you hear the evidence, you remember the reasons NorthWestern made these decisions – to provide safe, reliable and affordable utility services. ”
Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and Instagram: @NorthWesternEnergy
NorthWestern Energy - Delivering a Bright Future
NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We work to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. We do this by providing low-cost and reliable service performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 787,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Our operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through our subsidiary, NW Corp, and our operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through our subsidiary, NWE Public Service. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002.
Media Contacts:
Jo Dee Black
866-622-8081
Last post : 1/30/2023
Last post : 3/2/2021
