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During wildfire season, NorthWestern Energy takes proactive steps to ensure safety while balancing reliability. These prevention measures and response activities can result in power outages. NorthWestern makes the electric system more sensitive to potential hazards, such as a tree touching a line, and then automatically turns off power to prevent fires. The resulting outage is unplanned.
A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is a measure of last resort to protect our communities from potential wildfires. Public Safety Power Shutoffs are used only extreme situations during severe fire weather. PSPS are planned outages with advance communications to the area that will be impacted. Our Wildfire Mitigation Plan includes numerous strategies to prevent our power lines from sparking a wildfire. Public Safety Power Shutoffs are used only in extreme situations during severe fire weather.
Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings make the electric system more sensitive to potential hazards and automatically turn off power to reduce the risk of sparking a fire.
In normal conditions, NorthWestern Energy uses devices called “automatic reclosers”. These devices will attempt to reconnect the power when confronted with a hazard, such as a tree branch brushing against a line, in case the hazard is no longer an issue. When EPSS are turned on, the reclosers’ settings are changed to no longer attempt to reconnect power to protect against potential sparks. Turning on EPSS helps keep you safe, but this also means that customers in these areas may experience more frequent unplanned power outages.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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: Jul 17, 2025
TYPE: News
For over 100 years, NorthWestern Energy, and its predecessor Montana Power, has been at the heart of Montana’s power infrastructure, providing reliable and affordable energy solutions to residents across the state. As the demands of energy consumers continue to evolve, NorthWestern is constantly adapting to ensure long-term reliability and affordability. A key part of this effort is a proposed regulatory rate review. We appreciate all the local businesses, organizations, and residents who recently testified in favor of the review to help maintain the reliability of energy services while managing the growing challenges posed by extreme weather, wildfires, and increasing demand for power.
Montanans need reliable energy service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. NorthWestern’s role in meeting that demand is a critical one. We have made significant investments in infrastructure and technology, ensuring that our services meet the high standards of safety, reliability, and efficiency that Montana residents expect. In fact, NorthWestern customers experienced 99.98 percent reliability in 2023, placing the utility in the first quartile of energy companies nationwide. Additionally, energy bills for Montana customers are consistently lower than the national average, thanks to NorthWestern’s efficient operations and careful management.
However, maintaining that high level of reliability, while preparing for future energy needs and extreme weather events, requires continued investment in both infrastructure and technology. The last decade has seen a focus on grid resiliency, a priority that grows ever more important as weather events like wildfires, storms, and cold snaps become more frequent and severe. NorthWestern’s proactive approach includes upgrades to electrical systems, better monitoring through advanced field cameras, and aerial and ground assessments to detect potential issues before they cause damage or disruptions.
Moreover, the utility is working hard to address challenges related to the growing demand for energy. By expanding its capacity for on-demand power and embracing renewable energy sources like wind and solar, NorthWestern is ensuring that it can meet energy needs while also protecting the environment. In fact, about 60 percent of the energy serving NorthWestern’s Montana customers is carbon-free, well above the national average of 40 percent. These initiatives not only help ensure the utility is operating as sustainably as we can but also support efforts to integrate renewable energy into the grid in a way that doesn’t sacrifice reliability.
One of NorthWestern’s most notable recent investments is the Yellowstone County Generating Station (YCGS), which began serving customers in 2024. This new power station plays a pivotal role in maintaining grid reliability, especially during peak demand periods and extreme weather events. By reducing reliance on higher-cost energy market purchases, YCGS will ultimately help keep rates lower for our customers.
In addition to providing affordable and reliable power, NorthWestern’s operations are a key economic driver in Montana. In 2024, our company’s activities generated a remarkable $2.59 billion in economic impact, supporting over 15,700 jobs and generating $532.7 million in wages. This economic contribution extends beyond direct employment; NorthWestern also supports $195.3 million in state and local property taxes, which fund essential public services like schools and roads. By ensuring competitive rates and driving economic development, NorthWestern is helping to create new jobs, expand the state’s tax base, and boost the overall economy, benefiting both customers and communities across Montana.
While NorthWestern understands very well that Montanans are facing rising costs across the board, we are working diligently to help those who need assistance with their energy bills. We offer several programs, including payment options, energy assistance referrals, a bill discount for qualified customers and energy efficiency programs. NorthWestern’s energy efficiency initiatives helped customers save enough energy in 2024 to power over 6,500 homes, further supporting efforts to keep costs down.
The request for a regulatory rate adjustment is not one NorthWestern makes lightly, but it is necessary for the utility to continue meeting Montana’s growing energy needs, improving grid resiliency, and ensuring that future generations of Montanans have access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. With ongoing investments and innovative solutions, NorthWestern Energy is meeting these challenges head-on today, while providing lasting benefits to Montana families and businesses alike.
Brian Bird President & CEO, NorthWestern Energy
Last post : 1/30/2023
Last post : 3/2/2021
