After an expedited environmental review, the Bureau of Land Management on June 27 approved NorthWestern Energy’s planned 74-mile natural gas pipeline expected to slice through several miles of northeastern Jefferson County.
Preparatory activities, including surveys and engineering assessments, are expected to begin this year, with construction set to occur in phases from early 2026 through fall 2029.
The pipeline route, which also goes through East Helena’s new Prickly Pear Park, includes approximately nine miles of BLM-managed public lands and will follow the existing corridor of Phillips 66 Yellowstone pipeline to minimize ground disturbance and ecological disruption.
