3 minute read
On A Bright Note
All of us at NorthWestern Energy have the privilege of working in some of the most beautiful areas of the country – the wide, open prairies of South Dakota; the mountains and plains of Montana; and the wilds of Yellowstone National Park. My team and I have the additional privilege and responsibility of being good stewards of the environment.
At NorthWestern Energy, we feel a deep obligation to carefully consider the environmental impacts of anything we do. I am proud to lead the Environmental, Lands and Permitting, and Hydro Compliance Teams, a role I assumed in early 2024, after my predecessor Mary Gail Sullivan retired in December 2023.
Aside from my job at NorthWestern Energy, I also ranch near Philipsburg, Montana. In both my roles, at NorthWestern and at our ranch, which has been in my family since 1868, I see firsthand the importance of being a steward of the environment.
From a young age, I always wanted to work in an environment that included field work with a tie to natural resources and agriculture. After graduating from Montana State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics, I failed miserably at being a medical bill collector. I was about to head to Australia with my sister when I landed a job working in natural resource planning and permit administration for the Missoula Conservation District. From there I went into private consulting where we assisted private and governmental clients with environmental permitting, planning, mapping and preparing Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments. I found my way to NorthWestern Energy 10 years ago.
I feel incredibly lucky to work with a talented team of environmental professionals here at NorthWestern. This issue of Bright magazine offers a glimpse into the important work our team does. From the planning of every new transmission line to the license requirements of our hydroelectric facilities, we closely consider and work to mitigate our environmental impacts.
This year, we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of NorthWestern Energy’s purchase of our Montana hydro facilities, which you will read about in this issue. Our 11 hydro plants make up more than a third of the energy we deliver to our Montana customers. However, in order to operate these facilities, we are required to meet strict license compliance requirements to mitigate the effects our dams have on Montana’s waterways. Out of these requirements, the River Fund, which you will also read about in this issue, was established to fund recreational opportunities throughout the Missouri-Madison corridor. You’ll also find articles about the work being done across the company to reduce wildfire risk, along with stories about some of our incredible employees.
Thank you for reading!
Sady Babcock Director of Environment & Lands Permits & Compliance
