NorthWestern : Energy Reports No Known Damage from Montana Earthquake
July 06, 2017 at 01:05 pm EDT
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Butte, Mont. - July 6, 2017 - A 5.8 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter north of Helena that was felt across much of NorthWestern Energy's service territory caused no known damage to the utility's electric and natural-gas system.
The earthquake was reported shortly after midnight on July 6. The epicenter was located about seven miles southeast of Lincoln, MT. The quake appears to have triggered a power outage in the Lincoln area that affected about 1,350 NorthWestern customers. The outage was reported at 12:30 a.m., the same time as the earthquake hit.
Power was restored to the Lincoln area about 1:15 a.m. Inspections at a substation about six miles east of Lincoln revealed no damage to the substation.
NorthWestern fielded a few calls from the Helena area reporting natural-gas odors shortly after the quake. Investigation found no damage to the natural-gas system.
Emergency officials in the Lincoln area are urging residents to inspect their homes and other property for possible damage caused by the earthquake, including pipes, water heaters and furnace exhaust systems. If damage to homes is suspected, contacting the appropriate professional to make repairs is advised.
Keep up with NorthWestern Energy news on Facebook and on Twitter (@Northwestern_MT).
About NorthWestern Energy (NYSE: NWE)
NorthWestern Energy provides electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 709,600 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. More information on NorthWestern Energy is available on the company's website at www.northwesternenergy.com.
Media Contact:
Butch Larcombe
(866) 622-8081
butch.larcome@northwestern.com
NorthWestern Corporation published this content on 06 July 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 06 July 2017 17:05:14 UTC.
Original documenthttp://www.northwesternenergy.com/our-company/media-center/current/news-article/2017/07/06/NorthWestern-Energy-Reports-No-Known-Damage-from-Montana-Earthquake
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NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services. The Company operates through two segments: electric utility operations and natural gas utility operations. The electric utility operations segment includes the generation, purchase, transmission and distribution of electricity. The natural gas utility operations segment includes the production, purchase, transmission, storage, and distribution of natural gas. It provides electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 775,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Its operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through its subsidiary, NorthWestern Corporation, and its operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through its subsidiary, NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation. Its customer base consists of a mix of residential, commercial, and diversified industrial customers.
NORTHWESTERN ENERGY GROUP, INC. 
