NorthWestern Energy remains committed to keeping the lights during this unprecedented time. Our crews continue providing essential services including ongoing maintenance so that our system stays strong and reliable. We announced earlier today $300,000 in aid to assist the communities we serve that are struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is in addition to NorthWestern Energy’s annual charitable donations, economic development and local sponsorships and employee match programs, which were more than $2 million in 2019.
More than half of NorthWestern Energy’s aid will provide grants in the form of energy bill credits for our small business customers. This will help free up resources for small businesses, many of which are severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, as they continue their critical role in our economy and provide employment for members of our communities. This aid is available immediately as a bill credit and can be accessed through our website at https://contactus.northwesternenergy.com/CharitableGrantApp/applicationsb, so if you have a small business that is locally owned/standalone business that has been impacted please fill out the application above.
In addition, NorthWestern Energy will match donations from our employees, dollar for dollar, to organizations that provide emergency assistance for members of our communities experiencing difficulty paying their residential energy bill. One of NorthWestern Energy’s first actions in early March was to temporarily suspend most disconnections and late fees for households and small businesses facing hardship because of the pandemic.
NorthWestern Energy customers who have questions about their service or bills can call 888-467-2669 or 800-245-6977.
In summary:
- NorthWestern Energy walk-in Customer Service Centers are temporarily closed and personnel who serve walk-in customers have been assigned other duties. All NorthWestern Energy facilities are closed to the public.
- Our Customer Contact Center remains open 24/7 and can be reached at 888-467-2669 in Montana or 800-245-6977 in South Dakota and Nebraska. In order to keep our Customer Care employees safe, we have Customer Service Representatives operating from five locations and some home-based employees.
- NorthWestern Energy voluntarily suspended service disconnections for non-payment, effective immediately, to help customers who may be financially impacted as the result of this outbreak. This suspension will apply primarily to residential customers and will remain in effect until further notice. You are encouraged to contact us if you are having trouble paying your bill.
- NorthWestern Energy employees have been asked to not travel, and those who elect to travel are going into an mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. Strict travel restrictions have been implemented.
- Access to all NorthWestern Energy critical facilities is restricted to essential employees only. Employees in these facilities have been split into segregated work groups to avoid physical contact.
- NorthWestern Energy is using technology for meetings and cancelling assemblies.
- NorthWestern Energy has split work groups, instituted work-from-home for a large portion of its workforce and assigned separate shifts.
- Field personnel are still performing operations and maintenance work, but extra social distancing protocol has been implemented. NorthWestern field personnel will not enter a customer home or business except in very limited circumstances. In an instance where an employee does need to enter a home or business, extra precautions have been implemented.
- We are temporarily suspending Home Energy Audits.
- Our number one goal during this uncertain time is to provide reliable service while keeping the public and our customers safe.
- Thank you for your understanding and patience.
- Stay well and safe. If you have questions or concerns please email or call me. Please feel free to pass this on as you see fit.
Thank you,
Heidi Hockett
Manager – Community Relations
heidi.hockett@northwestern.com
Cell 406-590-1803
1501 N River RD
Great Falls, MT 59414