About Us
Bozeman Community Relations
Mel Kotur
(406) 582-4637, 8am - 5pm, M-F
Bozeman Consultant -
Community Relations
Heather Bellamy
(406) 586-3447 or (406) 570-2092
Bozeman Recovery Office
308 E. Main Street
(406) 586-3447
Customer Service
(888) 467-2669, 7am - 6pm, M-F
Gas Emergencies
(888) 467-2427, 24/7
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Gas & Pipeline Safety
Natural gas is a very safe and reliable fuel. But, like every form of energy, it's important
to know how to use it responsibly.
A word about natural gas safety
Natural gas is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic substance. We add an odorant to the gas to warn you
in the event of a natural gas leak. It smells bad for a good reason: to ensure your safety. Because
you may not be able to detect a natural gas leak only by smell, you also should be aware of other
ways to spot a leak. If you see or hear any of the following indicators on or near our pipeline
right-of-way, call the toll-free number listed on the nearest pipeline marker.
- An unusual blowing or hissing sound
- Dirt or dust blowing from a hole
- Bubbling ponds
- Dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green area near a pipeline right-of-way
- Fire involving or in the vicinity of a pipeline
What to do if you smell gas
If you smell the distinctive "skunk" or "rotten egg" odor of natural gas:
- Leave the area immediately.
- Do not use your phone, light a match or operate anything that might create a spark or flame.
- Call NorthWestern Energy's gas emergency number or your natural gas provider from a safe
distance. Calls can be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will respond promptly and at no charge.
- Do not try to extinguish a natural gas fire.
- Do not attempt to turn any natural gas valves on or off.
Pipeline markers
NorthWestern Energy installs above-ground markers to warn you about the location of buried gas
lines. The markers were developed by the natural gas industry and later incorporated into federal
law. Pipeline markers, sometimes called right-of-way markers, are placed at public road crossings,
railroad crossings and wherever necessary to reduce the possibility of damage to pipelines.
Call 811 before you dig
Before you or anyone else does any digging around your property, take time to find and have marked
the location of all underground service lines.
What you need to do
- Call 811 at least two working days before you dig! Or go online and request a utility locate.
- Be ready with all important information.
- Municipality, county, city
- Street address or nearest intersection of streets and roads, or township, range, section and quarter
- Type of work
- Extent of work
- Your name
- Date and time excavation is scheduled to begin
- Contractor or contact person and address
- Phone number and call back times
- Wait for the site to be marked. Markings are made with paint, flags or stakes.
- If you've hired a contractor, don't let them do any work until the site is marked.
Utility color codes
Color-coded surface marks are used to indicate the location and route of buried lines.
Red Marking
Yellow Marking
Orange Marking
Blue Marking
Green Marking
White Marking
Electric
Gas/Oil/Petroleum
Communication/Cable TV
Water
Sewer
Proposed Excavation
It's the law
According to the laws of the states in which NorthWestern Energy operates, anyone who excavates,
trenches, plows, drills, augers, blasts, strips topsoil or levels land is required to give
notice at least two working days before any excavation work is started.
Excavators who damage underground facilities without first calling to request and obtain locates must
pay the full cost of repairs. In the case of personal injury or loss of life, as the excavator, you
may be subject to a civil suit. When electrical, natural gas, and other service lines are ruptured
or damaged, the responsible excavator is charged for the repair.
A word about pipeline safety
Safety incidents on natural gas pipelines are rare, yet more natural gas is traveling through the
pipeline system than ever before. Safety is our number-one priority.
According to U.S. government statistics, the pipeline infrastructure, which includes 1.4 million
miles of natural gas pipeline, is the nation's safest energy delivery system. Together, gas utility
and pipeline companies spend close to $7 billion annually to ensure that natural gas is delivered
in a safe and reliable manner.
At NorthWestern Energy, all levels of management, including the executive level, are part of the
safety effort and support the philosophy of conducting business in a manner that protects the safety
and well being of employees, customers, and the public. In particular and specific to pipeline safety,
NorthWestern Energy is committed to providing the resources and funding to fully participate in the
development, implementation, and management of its Integrity Management Plan (IMP).
NorthWestern Energy is committed to operating all pipeline assets in a manner that supports reliable,
continuous delivery of natural gas to its customers while maintaining public safety and the integrity
of the gas pipeline system.
The IMP outlines processes that are used to assess
risks and manage risks associated with operating
the natural gas transmission system in order to reduce both the number of incidents and the adverse
effects of incidents. This program is intended to meet the requirement of integrity management programs
required under Title 49 CFR 192, Subpart O of the federal pipeline safety regulations.
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