NorthWestern Energy Donates $150,000 to Help Lower-Income Customers in South Dakota
Sioux Falls, S.D. – NorthWestern Energy announced it would make $150,000 available through an energy assistance grant to help lower-income customers hard hit by rising energy prices.
“Between rising gasoline and food prices, we know some of our customers are having a hard time making ends meet,” said Bob Rowe, NorthWestern Energy's President and CEO. “We're heading into the winter heating season with the prospect of higher natural gas costs so we're acting now to provide resources for customers who have no other place to turn for assistance. We will also be working with our customers to help them manage their energy expenditures.”
The grant will be available to NorthWestern Energy customers who meet certain income guidelines, but who don't qualify for the federal Low Income Energy Assistance Program. The criteria are still being developed, but administration will be similar to the company's Challenge Grant program that was in place several years ago.
”When times get tough, it's a long held tradition in South Dakota for neighbors to help out neighbors,” said Gov. Mike Rounds. “We appreciate NorthWestern Energy's offer of support to these families in need.”
“My fellow commissioners and I offer congratulations and gratitude to NorthWestern Energy for this generous outreach effort,” said South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Chairman Gary Hanson. “This donation will be a lifeline of assistance to a number of South Dakota families. I am especially pleased with the empathy and compassion NorthWestern Energy has exhibited by this gesture,” he continued.
Weatherization is a term used for home improvements that contribute to enhanced energy efficiency and comfort through better retention of heat in the winter months and cool in the summer months.
In addition to the donation, NorthWestern Energy is encouraging all South Dakotans – regardless of income – to take steps now to make their homes more energy efficient before winter sets in. The company also plans to distribute free home weatherization kits to natural gas customers in several communities in September. Kits will be available to customers who haven't previously received a kit from NorthWestern and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The schedule of events will be announced soon.
NorthWestern offers an online service called “Calc-U-Pal” that helps residential customers determine cost effective energy efficiency measures. The calculator and information on NorthWestern billing payment programs can be found at www.northwesternenergy.com.
About NorthWestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy is one of the largest providers of electricity and natural gas in the Upper Midwest and Northwest, serving approximately 650,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. For more information about NorthWestern Energy, visit www.northwesternenergy.com.
Aug. 2008