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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 enabled, the reclosers’ settings are changed to no longer attempt to reconnect power to protect against potential sparks. Enabling 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.
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.
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.
Date: Mar 31, 2026
TYPE: News
Category: Investors
Sioux Falls, S.D./Butte, Mont. – March 31, 2026 – NorthWestern Corporation, a regulated energy service company operating in Montana and a subsidiary of NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., doing business as NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE), filed an application with the Montana Public Service Commission requesting approval of a Large New Load Tariff rule to establish requirements and contract terms for providing electric service to bundled customers with new or expanded loads of 5 megawatts or greater, including data centers and other energy‑intensive operations.
The filing establishes a framework governing agreements between NorthWestern Energy and large new load customers and is intended to address the costs and operational considerations associated with serving those loads while protecting existing customers from cost shifting and other adverse impacts.
“Our responsibility is to serve new opportunities in a way that protects our existing customers and strengthens Montana’s energy future,” said NorthWestern Energy President and CEO Brian Bird. “This proposal reflects Montana values—fairness, accountability, and thoughtful growth—while positioning our state to compete for high‑quality economic development.”
NorthWestern Energy’s filing of this proposed tariff provides a forum for the Montana Public Service Commission and interested stakeholders to evaluate NorthWestern Energy’s plans to serve new large loads.
“Given the strong interest from both the Montana Public Service Commission and the public, we believe it is important to bring this issue forward now, instead of waiting until a contract with a large new load customer is in place,” Bird said. “Filing this tariff now supports constructive dialogue as we all work together toward a solution that serves Montana best.”
NorthWestern Energy continues to negotiate agreements with prospective large new load customers.
Customer Protections and Contract Requirements
The Large New Load Tariff includes specific requirements that must be incorporated into electric service agreements with large new load customers. These provisions include:
These provisions are intended to ensure that customers taking large new loads are responsible for the costs associated with serving those loads and that existing customers do not subsidize these large new load customers.
Studies, Agreements, and Montana Public Service Commission Oversight
Under the proposed tariff, prospective large new load customers first enter into a development agreement and fund studies to evaluate system impacts, infrastructure needs, and service feasibility. The results of those studies are incorporated into an electric service agreement, which includes required customer protections under the tariff.
NorthWestern Energy’s Large New Load Tariff establishes a consistent, Montana Public Service Commission-approved framework for onboarding new or expanded customers with an expected load of 5 megawatts or more, including a standardized study process and required Electric Service Agreement protections.
For the largest commitments, 50 megawatts or greater, NorthWestern Energy must file the executed Electric Service Agreement with the Montana Public Service Commission for review and approval before service begins. For customers with loads between 5 and 49 megawatts, the tariff’s standardized process and mandatory protections apply, but individual agreements do not require case-specific Montana Public Service Commission approval filings.
Public Review Process
The Montana Public Service Commission is the authority for reviewing and approving electric tariffs in the state. NorthWestern Energy’s application initiates a public regulatory proceeding that will include opportunities for review and public comment consistent with Montana Public Service Commission procedures. NorthWestern Energy’s priority throughout the process is to provide safe, reliable energy service to customers at affordable rates.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with commissioners, stakeholders, and our customers,” Bird said. “Our goal is a solution that protects Montanans, supports reliable electric service, strengthens Montana’s energy infrastructure, drives responsible economic growth, and is right for Montana’s unique situation.”
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NorthWestern Energy - Delivering a Bright Future
NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., doing business as 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 850,300 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.
Investor Relations Contact:
Travis Meyer
(605) 978-2967
Media Contact:
Jo Dee Black
866-622-8081
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