Northwestern Energy Meeting Next Week

Earlier this month, a power outage led to the cancellation of morning bus routes in the Whitehall School District. In June, numerous local businesses were affected by a 12 plus hour outage in the Whitehall and Cardwell areas.

Local business owners and residents will get a chance to detail the impacts recent outages have caused at a special meeting Monday, October 29 at the Borden’s Conference Room. According to JLDC Co-Manager Tom Harrington, representatives from Northwestern Energy will be on hand at the meeting scheduled for 10 a.m.

“There has been much discussion on the impact the power outages have caused on local operations and this will be a good opportunity to ask questions,” Harrington said.

The issues have been discussed several times at the monthly Community Transition Advisory Committee meetings in Whitehall. Corner Store owner Tim Mulligan expressed concern over the loss of revenue.

“It’s huge, it costs me thousands of dollars,” Mulligan said.

When the power goes out, Mulligan said the store is unable to sell gas, lottery tickets, game and fish related items and unable to use credit cards. He added they are only able to sell other items while it is still light outside.

He referenced a June 9 outage during Montana Mule Days that cost him, Town Pump, LaHood Park Steakhouse and other local businesses thousands of dollars.

Whitehall Superintendent John Sullivan told committee members how the October outage had a negative affect on school operations.