Sioux Falls - NorthWestern Energy is excited to be announced as a rebate recipient from the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Fund to help purchase and install electric vehicle charging stations in South Dakota.

Five other energy providers, Sioux Valley Energy, West River Electric Association, West Central Electric Cooperative, Watertown Municipal Utilities and Brookings Municipal Utilities will also receive rebates. The charging stations will be along the I-29 and I-90 corridors.

In October NorthWestern Energy announced its commitment to include more electric vehicles to the company's fleet and to making investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in our service territories.

'This investment in charging infrastructure is critical for individuals and businesses to expand their use of electric vehicles,' said NorthWestern Energy Economic Development and Key Accounts Specialist Paul Mantz. 'We are pleased to be part of this partnership with the other electric providers and the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources.'

The rebate funds up to 80% of the costs of the charging stations NorthWestern Energy will install in Mitchell and Chamberlain. The sites will include both a universal DC fast charger and a dual head Level II back-up charger.

By 2030, NorthWestern Energy will replace 30% of light-duty class vehicles, about 100 cars and light trucks, with battery electric vehicles and plug-in electric hybrids.

NorthWestern Energy will begin replacing vehicles and equipment at the end of its life with electric alternatives in 2021. By 2030, 20% of new medium and heavy-duty vehicles and 30% of new bucket trucks will be electric vehicles. All new forklifts replacements will be electric by 2030.

About NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE)

NorthWestern Corporation, doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 734,800 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.

Contact:

Jo Dee Black

Tel: (866) 622-8081

Email: jodee.black@northwestern.com

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