Butte, Mont. – January 4, 2010 – NorthWestern Energy invites people who are interested in learning more about the Mountain States Transmission Intertie (MSTI) to join company representatives at an open house at the Guest House Inn in Dillon on Thursday January 14, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
MSTI is a proposed 500 kV transmission line proposed from Townsend, Montana to the Midpoint Substation north of Jerome, Idaho. The line is intended to address the needs of proposed wind farms that have requested connection to the company’s transmission system to deliver renewable energy to markets in the Western United States. The new transmission line will help proposed new renewable energy generation in Montana by providing a new conduit to deliver the electricity to markets where it is needed.
Currently the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the BLM are conducting and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine the route for the MSTI project. A draft EIS is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2010.
At this open house, NorthWestern will have maps available for people to review the routing options under consideration and to speak on a one-on-one basis with representatives of the company about the project. While no official public comment will be taken at this meeting, it is a chance to learn more about the MSTI project and why it is being proposed by the NorthWestern Energy.
For additional information the project and upcoming events please visit www.msti500kv.com or contact Dan Rapkoch, MSTI Communications Manager at 406-490-1895.
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 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