NorthWestern Energy Plans New Natural Gas Pipeline
BUTTE, Mont. - NorthWestern Energy, provider of electricity and natural gas serving customers in Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska, plans to build a 7-mile natural gas transmission loop to provide additional capacity to customers in the Flathead Valley. Construction is scheduled to begin next summer with the line placed in service in time for the 2004 winter heating season.
The new 12-inch pipeline would be installed adjacent to an existing 8-inch natural gas transmission line, which has reached its capacity due to population growth in the Kalispell and Flathead Valley areas. The 8-inch line, built in 1962, will remain in operation.