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Butte, MT. – April 30, 2021 – Osprey nests can cause power outages and even fires, and their proximity to energized equipment puts the birds at risk of electrocution. NorthWestern Energy has installed hundreds of platforms to maintain service reliability and to provide a safe place for ospreys to raise their offspring.

This is the time of year when osprey begin to build nests and NorthWestern Energy asks member of the public who observe nest building on power poles to report their observations by contacting us or calling 888-467-2669.

When NorthWestern learns of an osprey nest on one of its poles, we implements the Avian Protection Plan, which includes removing the nest if it does not have osprey or osprey eggs in it and in some cases provide an alternative platform for the osprey. We then incorporate industry best practices developed by the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee, which is a collaboration among the Edison Electric Institute, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and member utilities. The primary goal of an APP is to reduce bird injuries and mortalities from power line collisions and electrocutions.

Implementing our APP includes designing avian-friendly power poles, training line crews, providing information on federal regulations protecting migratory birds and increasing public awareness.

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About NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE)
NorthWestern provides electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 743,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. We have generated and distributed electricity in South Dakota and distributed natural gas in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and have generated and distributed electricity and distributed natural gas in Montana since 2002. More information on NorthWestern is available on the company’s website at www.northwesternenergy.com.

Media Contacts:
Jo Dee Black
866-622-8081