Northwestern Corporation to Make Sizable Investment in Electric Transmission System in Stillwater and Carbon Counties to Boost Capacity and Reliability
January 31, 2013 at 05:54 pm EST
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Northwestern Corporation announced a plan to upgrade its electric transmission infrastructure in Stillwater and Carbon counties in southcentral Montana. The upgrade, to take place in phases over 10 years, will improve the reliability of electric service to NorthWestern's customers in the area, including those served by electric cooperatives, and provide added capacity to meet electric load growth in the region. The initial phase of the project will include substation upgrades and the construction of a new 100kV transmission line from NorthWestern's existing Columbus-Rapelje substation to a new substation near Dean, in southern Stillwater County.
The transmission line will be 45 to 55 miles in length, depending on the final route. The first phase of the project, with an estimated cost of $34 to $39 million, is expected to begin early in 2013 with project siting and right-of-way acquisition. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2015.
NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services. The Company operates through two segments: electric utility operations and natural gas utility operations. The electric utility operations segment includes the generation, purchase, transmission and distribution of electricity. The natural gas utility operations segment includes the production, purchase, transmission, storage, and distribution of natural gas. It provides electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 775,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Its operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through its subsidiary, NorthWestern Corporation, and its operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through its subsidiary, NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation. Its customer base consists of a mix of residential, commercial, and diversified industrial customers.
Northwestern Corporation to Make Sizable Investment in Electric Transmission System in Stillwater and Carbon Counties to Boost Capacity and Reliability
NORTHWESTERN ENERGY GROUP, INC. 
