Planned Outages
PrintPlanned Outages
Northern Lights, Inc. schedules planned outages when necessary to safely maintain, repair, or improve the electric system. We understand that outages are disruptive and work to provide advance notice whenever possible.
Planned Overnight Outage: Priest Lake Area, Oct. 27-28
An overnight power outage is scheduled from Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10 p.m. until approximately 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The outage will affect Northern Lights members north of Priest River and throughout the Priest Lake area, including both sides of the lake, Coolin and Nordman.
The Bonneville Power Administration will perform work at its Priest River substation to improve system reliability and stability. This substation supplies power to three Northern Lights substations serving the area. The outage is necessary for crews to complete the work safely.
During the BPA outage, Northern Lights crews will also work inside the Lamb Creek substation in Priest Lake. Coordinating this work overnight helps avoid a separate outage as upgrades to the Lamb Creek Substation, which began last summer, continue.
Affected members will receive direct notification by email, text and/or voice message. Please plan ahead for the overnight interruption.
For questions, contact Northern Lights Member Services at 208-263-5141.
We understand that outages are inconvenient and appreciate your patience as BPA and Northern Lights complete these improvements.
Smaller Planned Outages
If you will be impacted by an outage, you will receive a phone call or text message, based on your preference. Larger, planned outages often also appear here and on our social media pages.
When small outages are planned, impacting a few members, messages are sent only to those members affected by the outage.
Power Line Upgrades May Require Temporary Outages
Northern Lights is making improvements to the electric system to accommodate growth, better support electrical demand and improve system reliability.
Beginning Monday, Oct. 5, Northern Lights contractor Power City Electric will begin upgrading power lines on Old Highway 2 Loop. Work is expected to continue through January 2027, weather permitting.
The project will include replacing power poles, running additional power lines and replacing equipment. Crews will work on both overhead and underground sections of the electric system. All work will take place along existing power line routes and within established rights-of-way and easements.
As part of the work, crews may need to access rights-of-way and easements on or near member properties. Power City vehicles working on the project will display Northern Lights contractor identification.
Members may also notice tree-trimming crews working in the area before and during construction. This vegetation work helps provide the necessary clearance for the upgraded electrical facilities.
Please see the map below for impacted area:
Temporary Power Outages
Occasional power outages will be necessary as crews safely complete the upgrades. These outages are expected to be planned, and Northern Lights will notify affected members by phone or text when outages are scheduled.
Please make sure the phone number on your Northern Lights account is accurate, so you receive important outage notifications.
If you need to update your contact information or have additional questions, please contact our office at 208-263-5141 or 1-800-326-9594.
We appreciate your patience while this work is underway. These improvements will help Northern Lights continue providing safe, reliable electric service.
Prepare for a Planned Outage
Planned outages are sometimes necessary to safely maintain and repair the electric system. Taking a few steps before an outage can help you and your household remain comfortable and prepared.
Keep Your Contact Information Current
Make sure Northern Lights has your current phone number and email address. Accurate contact information helps us communicate important service and outage information.
You can review and update your account information through SmartHub or contact Northern Lights at 800-326-9594.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Keep basic emergency supplies where they can be easily located, including:
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Drinking water
- Nonperishable food
- First-aid supplies
- Necessary medications
- Blankets and warm clothing
Plan for Your Household
Consider the needs of everyone in your household before an outage. Establish a family meeting location and make sure family members know how they will communicate if normal phone or internet service is disrupted.
Prepare Your Property
Maintain defensible space around your home and other structures. Remove combustible material where practical and keep access routes clear for emergency responders and utility crews.
Plan for Medical Needs
If someone in your household relies on electrically powered medical equipment or refrigerated medication, make arrangements for backup power or an alternate location before an outage occurs.
Plan for Pets and Livestock
Make sure you have adequate food, water, transportation, and safe shelter for pets and livestock. Consider how loss of power may affect wells, pumps, electric fencing, ventilation, or other equipment.
Generator Safety
If you plan to use a portable generator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and operate it outdoors in a well-ventilated location away from windows, doors, and vents.
Never connect a portable generator directly to household wiring unless an approved transfer switch has been properly installed. Improper connections can backfeed electricity onto utility lines and create a deadly hazard for lineworkers and the public.
Prepare a Go Bag
Keep essential items together in case you need to leave quickly. Consider medications, identification, important documents, chargers, clothing, food, water, and supplies for children or pets.
Charge Devices and Keep Hard Copies
Charge phones, portable battery packs, and other essential devices before the outage. Keep printed copies of important phone numbers and emergency information in case internet or cellular service is unavailable.
Know How to Open Your Garage Door
Electric garage-door openers will not operate normally during a power outage. Know how to use the manual release and make sure household members can safely open the door if needed.
Know Where to Get Emergency Information
During an emergency, follow information from local emergency management agencies, public safety officials, and Northern Lights.
Questions or Need Assistance?
Contact Northern Lights at 800-326-9594 if you have questions about your account or need assistance updating your contact information.
