Montana AmbassadorsMontana AmbassadorsHelena, MontanaHelena, MontanaFebruary 25, 2011February 25, 2011
Our OperationsOur Operations
Service territory includes Montana, South Service territory includes Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and WyomingDakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming
661,000 customers661,000 customers
ElectricElectric» 31,700 miles of transmission & distribution31,700 miles of transmission & distribution» 297 communities297 communities
Natural GasNatural Gas» 8,400 miles of transmission and distribution8,400 miles of transmission and distribution» 168 communities168 communities
Employees – 1,354Employees – 1,354
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Montana OperationsMontana Operations
Service territory includes western 2/3 of Service territory includes western 2/3 of Montana (107,600 square miles)Montana (107,600 square miles)
ElectricElectric» 21,400 miles of distribution21,400 miles of distribution» 7,000 miles of transmission7,000 miles of transmission» Peak load -1,766 MW Average load – 1,216 MWPeak load -1,766 MW Average load – 1,216 MW
Natural GasNatural Gas» 4,100 miles of distribution4,100 miles of distribution» 2,000 miles of transmission2,000 miles of transmission» Total delivered – 40 BCF Peak Daily – 335,000 dktTotal delivered – 40 BCF Peak Daily – 335,000 dkt
Employees – 1,037Employees – 1,037
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WhyWhy
Transmission Growth?Transmission Growth?
Our transmission developments…Our transmission developments…
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Purpose, Benefit, and Need Meets NWE’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) requirement to respond to new transmission service requests
Provides transmission for new generation development
Enables the development of high quality MT wind power to reach market
Provides and enables positive economic impact to Montana, Idaho and the region
Improves electric system performance and flexibility
Meets the needs of regional electrical demand
Our transmission developments…Our transmission developments…
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NWE proposed transmission projectsNWE proposed transmission projects
Collector System
Colstrip Upgrade
MSTI
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Mountain States Transmission Intertie (MSTI) ProjectMountain States Transmission Intertie (MSTI) Project
500 kV AC line from Townsend 500 kV AC line from Townsend MT to Midpoint Substation MT to Midpoint Substation near Twin Falls IDnear Twin Falls ID
Approximately 430 miles Approximately 430 miles depending on final routedepending on final route
1130 miles of alternatives1130 miles of alternatives» 80+% on State and Federal 80+% on State and Federal
Public LandsPublic Lands
Advanced Stages of Public Advanced Stages of Public Siting and Review – began in Siting and Review – began in 20072007
1500 MW Path Rating Capacity 1500 MW Path Rating Capacity ExpectedExpected
Current Project cost is $1 Current Project cost is $1 billionbillion
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Montana Renewable Collector System
Currently 4,000 MW in generation interconnection queue
Radial lines to Townsend
Access to MSTI, 500 kV and NWE network
MT-RCS defined by this Open Season
Target in service date is 2016
New Townsend SubstationHigh Wind
Area
Potential Collector Lines
Confidential 11
Colstrip Upgrade Colstrip Upgrade
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The project is currently being developed The project is currently being developed primarily by BPA and NWE with the other primarily by BPA and NWE with the other owners having various levels of interest.owners having various levels of interest.
Initially identified in transmission study as being Initially identified in transmission study as being a piece of “low hanging fruit”a piece of “low hanging fruit”
No new linear facilities requiredNo new linear facilities required
Gas FactsGas Facts
Four major pipelines cross from Canada into Four major pipelines cross from Canada into MontanaMontana
Carway, Aden, Canadian Montana Pipeline and Carway, Aden, Canadian Montana Pipeline and TransCanada (CMPL is owned by NWE)TransCanada (CMPL is owned by NWE)
Havre – Havre Pipeline and Chinook pipelines Havre – Havre Pipeline and Chinook pipelines tie to Many Islands Pipelinetie to Many Islands Pipeline
Morgan/Monchy – Northern Border cross Morgan/Monchy – Northern Border cross Montana heading to the Mid-WestMontana heading to the Mid-West» 485 BCF per year of imports485 BCF per year of imports
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Gas FactsGas Facts
Carway and Aden come into NorthWestern’s Carway and Aden come into NorthWestern’s transmission line, and the 15 BCF of imports transmission line, and the 15 BCF of imports equals about 38% of our 40 BCF annual market.equals about 38% of our 40 BCF annual market.
15 BCF at the average price of $3.90/mcf in 2010 15 BCF at the average price of $3.90/mcf in 2010 would be $58.5 millionwould be $58.5 million
Montana produces about 95 BCF and consumes Montana produces about 95 BCF and consumes 76 BCF with most of the difference going into 76 BCF with most of the difference going into Canada or Northern Border.Canada or Northern Border.
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