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Sioux Falls, S.D./Butte, Mont. – Jan. 26, 2023 − NorthWestern Energy was announced as an Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Emergency Response Award recipient. Presented to EEI member companies twice a year, the Emergency Response Awards recognize recovery and assistance efforts of electric companies following service disruptions caused by extreme weather or other natural events. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process, and the awards were presented during EEI’s winter Board of Directors and CEO meeting.

NorthWestern Energy is recognized for safely restoring energy service as quickly as possible after a derecho in May in South Dakota with winds as high as 107 miles per hour and historic flooding in June that washed out bridges and roads and caused severe property damage in several areas of Montana. 

Edition Electric Institute President Thomas Kuhn, left, presents the EEI Emergency Response Award to NorthWestern Energy President and CEO Brian Bird at the winter board of directors and CEO meeting.

“I commend NorthWestern Energy’s commitment to restore service for its customers safely and quickly under challenging conditions,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “NorthWestern Energy and its storm response team undoubtedly are deserving of this national recognition, and I am honored to present them with this well-deserved award.”

In South Dakota, energy service was restored to 98% of NorthWestern Energy’s almost 20,000 customers who experienced storm-related power outages within 24 hours.

In Montana, the National Guard was called in to assist with rescues of stranded recreationalists and other members of the public, including small children. Yellowstone National Park closed. NorthWestern Energy crews worked around the clock, safely, to monitor flood damage, make repairs and restore energy service. Their response during this natural disaster contributed significantly to flood recovery. 

“The dedication of the people who work in this industry, delivering power to their customers 24/7, is outstanding, so to have NorthWestern Energy’s employees recognized with this award is an honor,” said NorthWestern Energy President and CEO Brian Bird. “I am incredibly proud of our fantastic team at NorthWestern Energy, who kept our customers and their co-workers safe last spring while working in harsh and challenging conditions” 

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About NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE)

NorthWestern Corporation, doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We are working to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. This includes bridging our history as a regulated utility safely providing low-cost and reliable service with our future as a globally-aware company offering a broader array of services performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 753,600 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Yellowstone National Park. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002. More information is available on the company's Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.

Media Contacts:

Jo Dee Black

866-622-8081

jodee.black@northwestern.com