- Securing adequate energy capacity for the future, especially in Montana due to lack of organized energy market and thermal capacity retirements
- Increasing threats of weather, wildfire, and cybersecurity events
- Inflationary pressures on operating costs and interest expense
- Rising interest rates impacting utility stocks
- Wildfire mitigation in Montana
- Transition to net-zero emissions by 2050
- Supply chain constraints, high inflation for product, services, and labor costs
- Potential difficulties in physically serving parts of Montana due to generation closures and increased load
- Intermittency of renewable energy sources
- Integration of renewable technologies while maintaining reliability and affordability
NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc.
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
Renewable Energy
55% of total electric generation in 2023
of total energy
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.8M tCO2e (Scope 1) + 9070 tCO2e (Scope 2) |
| 2018-2022 | 2.8M tCO2e/year (Scope 1) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Reached 55 percent carbon-free electric generation in 2023 (compared to the U.S. average of approximately 40 percent)
- Reduced methane and carbon emissions from natural gas system better than industry average
- Spent nearly $60 million on fisheries and wildlife projects under the Missouri-Madison PM&E Program
- Active avian protection program including nesting platforms and avian-safe power poles
- Commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Operationalize the Yellowstone County Generating Station by the end of Q3 2024
📅 Medium-term
- Acquire Avista's 15% interest in Colstrip Units 3 and 4 by December 31, 2025
🔭 Long-term
- Achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
ReliabilityAffordabilitySustainabilitySafetyEmployee engagementFinancial strengthCommunity engagementEnvironmental stewardshipCorporate governance