NorthWestern Energy to Make Sizable Investment in Electric Transmission System in Stillwater and Carbon Counties to Boost Capacity and Reliability

BUTTE, Mont., Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE) today 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.

"We are working diligently to improve electric service and reliability across our operating territory," said Mike Cashell, NorthWestern's Vice President - Transmission. "These transmission upgrades in Stillwater and Carbon counties are among the top priorities for NorthWestern and will help us better serve our residential, commercial and industrial customers in this growing part of Montana."

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.

Later phases of this project will include upgrades and rebuilding of existing transmission lines in the area.  For more information on this and other utility projects please visit www.northwesternenergy.com and click on the "utility projects" link on the home page.

About NorthWestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy provides electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 673,200 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. More information on NorthWestern Energy is available on the company's Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.

SOURCE NorthWestern Corporation

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