Energy Connections Newsletter

December 2023

Bright Ideas to Save

Use LED lights to decorate. The electricity for a modest LED holiday light display is about $2 a day, compared to $10-$15 a day for traditional incandescent lights.

November 2023

Special notice for Montana customers

On Nov. 1, NorthWestern Energy implemented new Montana electric and natural gas rates, approved Oct. 25, by the Montana Public Service Commission.

South Dakota/Nebraska

Scam activity | Energy-saving gifts | Bright magazine | Gift of Energy | Gary’s Sweet Chili recipe

Bright Ideas to Save

Find and seal leaks. Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.

Tired of paying for postage?

Sign up for E-bill. Learn more at NorthWesternEnergy.com/ebill.

Scam activity increases around the holidays

Scammers are working overtime looking for victims and will likely continue to do so. Scammers have a tendency to be very active around the holidays.

October 2023

Montana/South Dakota/Nebraska

Winter heating season tips | We’re here to help | Gramma Jackie’s Carmel Puff Corn

Bright Ideas to Save

Lower your thermostat. Turn down your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees when you are asleep or away. This can save about 10% per year on your heating bills.

Clean and Clear

Remember to clear your natural gas meter of snow and ice and shovel a pathway to your meter after each snowfall.

Learn More

Special notice for Montana customers

Schedule a free Home EnergyCheck to help you understand how energy is being used and where improvements could be made to help you save money. We also have energy efficiency rebates available.

September 2023

Montana/South Dakota/Nebraska

Plan before you plant | Get furnace ready | Hunting safety | Powerline safety | Spring Roll recipe

Bright Ideas to Save

Change your furnace filter. Dirty air filters make your furnace work harder. Replacing or cleaning your air filter once a month, or as recommended, can lower your furnace’s energy consumption by 15%.

Give the Gift of Energy

NorthWestern Energy gift certificates are a great way to help a family member, friend, neighbor or colleague who may be struggling to pay their energy bill. You simply pre-pay a portion of their energy bill, and once we receive your payment, we place a credit on the recipient’s account.

Learn More

August 2023

Montana/South Dakota/Nebraska

Summer energy efficiency | Update contact info | Budget Billing | Breakfast skillet recipe

Customer Account Card

Write down your account number and keep it handy. You should also record your address exactly as it appears on your bill. It’s helpful to have your account number and address for self-service options, including reporting an outage, registering for My Energy Account, making a payment online or over the phone, or signing up for E-bill.

Bright Ideas to Save

Stay cool - grill outside! Using your oven and stove heats up your home. Cook outside instead.

Call 811 before inspecting or clearing sewer lines

In rare cases, our small-diameter gas pipeline may have inadvertently crossed through a sewer pipe. If a plumber unknowingly strikes a gas line while cutting through a sewer blockage, this could cause a dangerous release of natural gas. That’s why it’s important to call 811 before any sewer work, even if it doesn’t involve digging.

July 2023

South Dakota/Nebraska

Internship program | Natural gas safety | Hang with Louie and Sniffy | Cut your clutter with E-bill

Bright Ideas to Save

Fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect. Turn off your ceiling fan when you leave the room to save money.

Carbon monoxide safety tip:

Make sure you have a working carbon monoxide alarm installed on every level of your home, especially around sleeping areas, and test your alarms every month.

June 2023

South Dakota/Nebraska

Get help with your energy bill | Streetlights | Advanced meter upgrades | Tuna noodle casserole recipe

South Dakota Customer Notice

Application to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission for a regulatory review of electric rates.

Bright Ideas to Save

Pull the plug on your old, extra fridge and save up to $80 a year. On average, an old refrigerator uses about 35% more energy than an energy-efficient model.

Don’t fall victim to a scam

Remember, NorthWestern Energy sends multiple disconnection notices before shutting off service and offers several bill payment options.

May 2023

Montana

• Wildfire prevention • Plan where you plant • How to read your bill • Rate review update • Simple Shepherd’s Pie recipe

South Dakota/Nebraska

• Planning, planting and protecting trees and energy infrastructure • How to read your bill • Employee feature • Simple Shepherd’s Pie recipe

Go Green with Paperless Billing

Sign up for paperless billing to help reduce paper waste. Access your bills online anytime at your convenience. We will send an email to let you know when your electronic bill is available online to review.

Learn More

April 2023

Montana

• Protecting osprey • Call before you dig • Plan before you plant • Excess Gas Flow Valve Notice • Pipeline safety • Carole’s Pasties recipe

South Dakota/Nebraska

• Celebrating Earth Day • Call before you dig • Plan before you plant • Excess Gas Flow Valve Notice • Recognizing a gas pipeline leak • Carole’s Pasties recipe

Clean and Clear Your Natural Gas Meter

Remember to clear your natural gas meter of snow and ice, and shovel a pathway to your meter after each snowfall.

Visit NorthWesternEnergy.com/NaturalGasSafety to learn more.

 

Special Notice for Natural Gas Customers:

Allowing snow and ice to build up on your natural gas meter, or fall from the roof above your meter, can lead to dangerous damages.

March 2023

Montana

• Yellowstone County Generating Station • Annual pipeline inspections • From the mailbag • Cheeseburger egg roll recipe

South Dakota/Nebraska

• Pipeline safety • Pipeline inspections • From the mailbag • Cheeseburger Egg Roll Recipe

Call Before You Dig

No project is too small. If it requires a shovel, call 811 or visit call811.com at least two full business days before you begin your project.

February 2023

Montana/South Dakota/Nebraska

• Winter energy bills • How to read your bill • Taking care of your meter in winter • Powerline safety • Budget Billing • Pork Tenderloin with Veggies Recipe

Pipeline Safety Facts & Statistics

Pipelines are the safest way to transport energy products like natural gas, crude oil and other fuels. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulates pipelines with the help of their state partners.

According to government and industry statistics, the most common cause of pipeline incidents is improper or unauthorized digging near a pipeline, which is why it’s important to call 811 before you dig. Pipeline operators carefully build, maintain and monitor the integrity and security of their lines.

Special Notice for Montana customers:

NorthWestern Energy will acquire Avista’s ownership of the Colstrip plant in Montana with no purchase price.

January 2023

Montana/South Dakota/Nebraska

• Efficiency tips • Staying safe in a power outage • Plowing safely • Natural gas safety • Taco Spaghetti recipe

Know what to do if you smell natural gas

Leave the area immediately and call 911 from another location. NorthWestern Energy makes it easy for you to detect natural gas leaks by adding an odorant to give it an unpleasant rotten egg or skunk-like smell.

Special Insert

Announcing a new electronic payment service.