07/23/2024
Just a heads up to our guests. Sure hope this doesn’t happen.
UPDATE 7/24: There are no Public Safety Power Shutoffs planned at this time. Based on assessment of the forecasted conditions, we are confident that a Public Safety Power Shutoff is not imminent for any of our Montana customers at this time. As we do throughout the fire season, we will continue to monitor, analyze and assess wildfire conditions.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are an important new defense that has been added to our wildfire mitigation efforts. It is important to know that it is a “defense of last resort”. PSPS is the defense that will be employed when conditions are expected to be so severe, that all other defenses are deemed insufficient.
We want to thank our customers for their attention and response. We understand no one wants to be without power. Our top priority is to keep our customers and communities safe.
Please visit our website for the latest information. NorthWesternEnergy.com/PSPS
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UPDATE 7/23: Due to extreme weather conditions, NorthWestern is monitoring weather forecasts in Montana. At this time, we are closely watching weather forecasts calling for high winds combined with high temperatures and low humidity forecasted for Thursday afternoon, July 25.
We have entered the 1.1 Monitoring Stage of our Public Safety Power Shutoff Plan. There are no planned power outages at this time. This is the earliest stage of the plan. If extreme weather conditions threaten our ability to safely operate the electrical grid, we will turn off power to help protect public safety. This is called a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS. At this time, NorthWestern Energy will closely monitor the weather forecast. If a customer’s power is going to be shut off, we will contact you directly via email and/or phone at the email address or phone number we have on file. We continue to watch the forecasted wind event. If a planned power outage is needed for public safety, it is most likely in wildfire-prone areas outside Butte, Helena, Great Falls or Bozeman.
As more detailed information becomes available, we will share it. Learn more at NorthWesternEnergy.com/PSPS.
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NorthWestern Energy is monitoring the need for a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff due to high winds combined with high temperatures and low humidity forecasted for the afternoon of Thursday, July 25. These conditions are expected to impact a large portion of Montana. Our team is closely monitoring the situation, and we will continue to update our customers if the need for the Public Safety Power Shutoff arises.
Learn more at NorthWesternEnergy.com/PSPS.
