Firefighter standing in forest watching over fire

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Seeley-Swan Undergrounding

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office, Award Number DE-GD0000885.

Consortium Project Introduction

Missoula Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MEC) was founded in 1936 and is a member-owned rural electric cooperative that serves electricity to approximately 13,500 members in western Montana and northeastern Idaho. Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, MEC strives to uphold a commitment to service excellence while delivering safe, affordable and reliable electricity to its members.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office is administering a $10.5 billion investment via the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program. This historic investment will enhance grid flexibility, improve the resilience of the power system against growing threats of extreme weather and ensure American communities have access to affordable, reliable, and clean electricity.

MEC is a member of a consortium of 37 electric co-ops and other rural utilities selected to receive federal funding through the Wildfire Assessment and Resilience for Networks project (WARN).

Project Description

There are two primary threats to the resilience of MEC’s system in the Seeley-Swan Valley of Montana. The first threat is the trending rise in wildfires in the northwest, which have the potential to wreak havoc on the Cooperative’s distribution infrastructure and surrounding community. The second threat is the increased frequency, severity and unpredictability of intense hazardous weather events.

Missoula Electric Cooperative’s Seeley-Swan Undergrounding for Wildfire and Storm Safety project will bury approximately 46 miles of overhead line through the Seeley-Swan corridor. This will not only drastically reduce the potential for foreign contact with uninsulated conductors in this high risk area, but it will also reduce the total amount of infrastructure available to burn in the case of wildfire burning through the service territory.

Benefits

The project will mitigate the risk of system-caused wildfires and shield the system from extreme weather events. These resiliency improvements will protect the Cooperative’s high-risk communities and improve the system’s integrity, ultimately strengthening MEC’s ability to serve these communities safely, reliably and affordably.

Communities and Consumers Impacted

Preliminary project map showing general project locations.

The benefits of this project will extend beyond the Seeley-Swan Valley, positively impacting nearby communities by significantly reducing the risk of wildfire, property damage, and environmental disruption. Additionally, the project will contribute to improved air quality during fire season, protecting the health and safety of those in surrounding regions.

Furthermore, MEC members in the Seeley-Swan Valley will experience enhanced resilience against long-duration power outages, ensuring greater reliability and continuity of essential services. This project is a critical step in bolstering the region’s infrastructure and safeguarding its communities.

Timeline

The Seeley-Swan Undergrounding for Wildfire and Storm Safety project will use a phased approach from 2025 – 2028:

Design & Permitting: Currently in progress
Procurement: Scheduled for Q2 2026
Construction: Phased construction from 2026 to 2029
Operation: Phased implementation from 2026 to 2029

Procurement

Materials rfp package request

For the Materials RFP, MEC seeks competitive bids for the supply of materials required to implement the Seeley-Swan – Undergrounding Project. All materials purchased under this RFP must comply with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA). Please click the link above to request an RFP.

Clarification Questions Due: Thursday June 12, 2026

Submission Deadline: 4 P.M., June 19, 2026

Project Completion Target: Q4 2029

Questions and Clarifications

Answers for questions submitted through 6/2/2026

Contractor rfp Package Request

For the Contractor RFP, MEC seeks competitive bids for construction services to implement the Seeley-Swan – Undergrounding Project. Please click the link above to request an RFP.

Clarification Questions Due:

Submission Deadline:

Project Completion Target: