NorthWestern will delay property tax payments to save money

HELENA - NorthWestern Energy says it will delay paying two-thirds of its remaining 2002 Montana property taxes in a cost-cutting move to help it get through the traditionally lean summer.

The announcement Wednesday came a week after NorthWestern, citing growing energy costs, said it would seek a 45 percent increase in natural gas rates for customers.

The second half of NorthWestern's $48 million property tax bill was due to local governments at the end of May, but the company only paid $8.1 million on time.

It has agreed to spread out the remaining $16 million in payments over the next five...