The company met with Gov. Brian Schweitzer on Monday to outline plans that include a substantial investment in improving its distribution network, possibly with new "smart grid" technology to increase energy savings.

NorthWestern CEO Bob Rowe says they are also slowly rebuilding the company's ability to make electricity and own natural gas supply. Part of that effort could include renewable energy, such as biomass.

Rowe said the company is still exploring the idea of turning the shuttered Smurfit-Stone Container plant in Frenchtown into a biomass energy production facility. Rowe says he also expects to sign new contracts soon to bring in significant new renewable energy supply.