Butte
, Mont.
– September 21, 2009 – While electricity and natural gas costs are expected to remain fairly moderate this winter compared to previous years, the company strongly encourages customers to take the appropriate steps to keep their homes safe and warm beginning with a visit to a “Do-it-yourself Home Energy Makeover” expo or event this fall.
More than 40 events are planned in locations around Montana beginning this week and continuing through mid-November. The company will be distributing free weatherization kits to customers who have not yet received a kit in previous years. Customers who have previously received kits should still plan to attend a Home Energy Expo, which includes a variety of activities such as pictures with Louie and Sniffy, balloons and giveaways for the kids, free refreshments, safety education and E+ how-to demonstrations.
NorthWestern Energy expects electricity supply costs to be about the same as last year while natural gas costs are expected to be about 15-percent lower than last year. Actual bill amounts depend on how much energy a customer uses and so far the experts seem divided on whether this will be a mild or a colder than normal winter. That’s why NorthWestern emphasizes low-cost weatherization measures to help your home better withstand the elements – what ever they may be.
This year at the Saturday expos, the company also will distribute free carbon monoxide detectors to residential gas customers (limit one per household and while supplies last) and we’ve invited a variety of vendors to provide information, displays and demonstrations to compliment NorthWestern’s E+ rebate programs. The National Weather Service is hosting a booth this year and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will provide information on state and federal tax incentives for implementing energy efficiency measures. In addition, NorthWestern Energy customers can register to win an extreme home energy makeover by registering for the Home Energy Makeover contest.
“Many of our customers are interested in learning how to be smart energy consumers, so we’ve expanded our events this year to include presentations on everything from our rebate and incentive programs to small scale renewable energy applications,” said Bobbi Schroeppel, Vice President – Customer Care and Communications. “Customers that are interested in finding ways to save energy will be able to speak one-on-one with energy experts.”
Residential electric customers who have not received free Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs from NorthWestern at any other event this year are eligible to receive free CFL bulbs at the expos or weekday kit giveaway events. NorthWestern Energy natural gas home space or water heating customers who have not received a starter weatherization kit at any prior event or through a home energy audit may be eligible to receive a free weatherization kit at the expo or events. Further qualifications may apply.
Please visit http://www.northwesternenergy.com or call (800) 823-5995 for the complete Montana schedule, further details on starter weatherization kits and the home energy makeover contest, and information about NorthWestern Energy’s E+ rebate programs.
Download the PDF for the full event schedule.
About NorthWestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy provides electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 656,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. More information on NorthWestern Energy is available on the Company's Web site at http://www.northwesternenergy.com.
Media Contact:
Claudia Rapkoch
(866) 622-8081
claudia.rapkoch@northwestern.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Dan Rausch
(605) 978-2902
daniel.rausch@northwestern.com