Employee-Led Safety Effort Earns VPP Star Certification for NorthWestern Energy Great Falls Hydro Projects

Great Falls, Mont. - June 25, 2026 -NorthWestern Energy is proud to announce that its Great Falls-area hydroelectric system-encompassing the Black Eagle, Rainbow, Ryan, Cochrane and Morony facilities, and the Rainbow maintenance facility-has earned Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star certification from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for the first time. This prestigious recognition highlights the facilities' exceptional safety performance and strong culture of employee engagement.

"This recognition is a direct result of our employees leading the way on safety every day," said NorthWestern Energy Manager Power Generation Jeremy Butcher. "VPP is built on employee involvement, and our teams at these facilities have taken ownership of creating and sustaining a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility. Their commitment and leadership made this achievement possible."

The VPP Star is OSHA's highest recognition for workplace safety and health excellence. Facilities that earn this designation go beyond compliance by implementing comprehensive safety systems and fostering active employee involvement in identifying and preventing hazards.

The Great Falls hydro projects demonstrated excellence across the four core VPP principles:

• Management Commitment and Employee Involvement
• Worksite Analysis
• Hazard Prevention and Control
• Safety and Health Training

This recognition reflects years of dedication by operations, maintenance and support staff who prioritize safety in every aspect of their work. The employees at these hydro projects have worked collaboratively to build and sustain a proactive safety culture that protects both workers and the communities they serve.

Statewide, there are 12 VPP Star-certified worksites in Montana. In addition to the Great Falls hydro projects, NorthWestern Energy facilities recognized with OSHA's VPP Star status include Hauser, Holter, Thompson Falls and the Madison/Hebgen hydro facilities.

With this achievement, these facilities join an elite group of worksites recognized by OSHA for outstanding safety performance, further strengthening NorthWestern Energy's commitment to operational excellence and employee well-being.

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NorthWestern Energy - Delivering a Bright Future

NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We work to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. We do this by providing low-cost and reliable service performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 850,300 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. Our operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through our subsidiary, NW Corp, and our operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through our subsidiary, NWE Public Service. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002.

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