Montana Meter Upgrade

NorthWestern Energy is upgrading our electric meters and gas modules.

  • This technology upgrade will allow two-way communication between NorthWestern Energy and its meters on customer homes and businesses.
  • In most cases, the system will notify NorthWestern Energy of an outage. 
  • Crews can restore service faster.
  • Current energy use information is available for customer questions about bills, energy use and opportunities for energy savings
  • System voltage information identifies problems before those problems cause outages.
The energy landscape is changing — and so are our customers’ expectations. As we modernize the energy grid, including using two-way communicating meters, also known as smart meters, our customers will benefit.

Moving Toward a Sustainable Energy Future

Moving Toward a Sustainable Energy Future

The energy grid is evolving, driven by the need to support more renewable resources as we transition to an even cleaner energy future. Smart metering provides more data on grid operations, which will allow opportunities for new customer programs and technology that will help balance the energy grid with renewable resources.
Learn about our other clean energy initiatives

Advanced Meter FAQs

NorthWestern Energy began installation in Montana in 2021. Here is a list of approximate dates for the Montana Meter Upgrade project by area:

  • Missoula Division: completed August 2022
  • Butte Division: completed June 2022
  • Bozeman Division: completed May 2024
  • Billings Division: completed October 2024  
  • Lewistown District: completed October 2024
  • Havre District: completed November 2024
  • Helena Division: June 2024 – May 2025
  • Great Falls Division: August 2024 – 2028

A NorthWestern Energy employee will install your new meter or module.

No. The electric meters and gas modules are purchased and owned by NorthWestern Energy. They are part of our infrastructure, similar to our power poles and transformers.

Most of the installations will occur during business hours, though there will be cases when evening or weekend installations may be necessary. Customers don't need to be home.

A door hanger will let residents know their upgrade was successful. If the technician cannot perform the upgrade, a door hanger will be left with instructions to call to make an appointment.

NorthWestern Energy has a contract to recycle the electric meters and gas modules in use now when new meters and modules are installed.

Yes. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the safety limits for all RF emissions, and smart meter and module emissions make up a small portion of the limit. The RF emissions of old one-way communication meters and the new two-way communication meters are both approved by the FCC. Radio frequency emissions are also produced by common household devices such as microwaves, baby monitors and TVs.

Yes. Customer privacy and security are NorthWestern Energy priorities. The company’s strict security standards have contributed to protecting the energy grid and customer privacy for years. The meters do not collect, store or transmit any personally identifiable information.

The meters measure total energy and cannot differentiate energy usage by appliance or anything else within a home or business. The transmitted energy use information is encrypted.

Customers who want to keep their existing meters can call NorthWestern at 888-467-2669 or email NorthWesternEnergyMeters@northwestern.com to be added to the bypass list. Customers who previously requested an opt out do not need to contact NorthWestern again to be bypassed and keep their meters.

NorthWestern will be reaching out to customers who received an advanced meter despite their request to opt out. For those who still wish to opt-out, NorthWestern will ensure that the advanced meter is removed and replaced with a meter similar to the one that was there before. Customers will not be charged for this service. 

Customers who have questions about the advanced meter opt-out program can contact NorthWestern at 888-467-2669
or the Montana Public Service Commission at 1-800-646-6150 or pschelp@mt.gov.

If you have a non-communicating electric or gas meter, you can find information about how to read it and submit a self-read here. 

Drought, Low Snowpack and Dry Soils Point to Low Hebgen Reservoir Levels This Season

Date: Apr 8, 2026

TYPE: News

Butte, Mont. –April 8, 2026 – Drought conditions, low soil moisture and low snowpack are contributing to a forecast of low water supply to Hebgen Reservoir this season.

The Madison River Basin is experiencing Moderate to Severe Drought conditions. Hebgen Reservoir is currently at an elevation of 6,529.68 feet, which is 5.19 feet from full pool. Inflows into Hebgen Reservoir throughout the winter have been 89% of normal, while snowpack in the Madison River Basin is at 66% of normal levels and only 56% of normal levels on SNOTEL sites above Hebgen Reservoir.

“This is shaping up to be a challenging water year, and we’re carefully managing river operations in response to current conditions,” said NorthWestern Energy Manager Hydro License Compliance Andy Welch. “Our focus remains on operating responsibly to conserve water in the early season so we are able to provide river flows and reduce stress on fish during periods when water temperatures are highest.”

Although snowpack levels in higher elevations in the basin are close to normal for this time of year, there are below normal to very low snowpack levels in the lower and mid-elevations. Warm temperatures this winter caused precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow and the snowpack is lower than what is needed for a strong runoff. 

“Conditions on the Madison River continue to present challenges, with water availability expected to be limited as we balance the many demands on the system,” said NorthWestern Energy Director of Power Generation Jeremy Clotfelter. “We are closely monitoring hydrologic conditions and forecasts and will be working collaboratively with our agency partners and stakeholders to identify responsible water management options.”

Hebgen Reservoir plays a critical role in managing flows on the upper and lower Madison River throughout the year to support the long‑term health of the Madison River ecosystem and to provide carbon free, cost-effective power to our customers.

Current water levels at Hebgen Lake and flows and water temperatures are available at http://madisondss.com/page/dashboard.php. Learn more about NorthWestern Energy’s stewardship and management of the Madison River system at northwesternenergy.com/MadisonDrought

The public is invited to a meeting from 6-8 p.m. May 11 at El Western, 4784 U.S. Highway 287, in Ennis to discuss Madison River topics, including snowpack and streamflow forecasts for the Madison River, fish populations, recreation, and the projects sponsored by the Madison Fisheries Technical Advisory Committee. 

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter (@NWEinfo).

About NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE)

NorthWestern Corporation, doing business as NorthWestern Energy, provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We are working to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. This includes bridging our history as a regulated utility safely providing low-cost and reliable service with our future as a globally-aware company offering a broader array of services performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 850,300. customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Yellowstone National Park. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002. More information is available on the company's Web site at www.northwesternenergy.com.

Media Contacts:

Jo Dee Black

866-622-8081

jodee.black@northwestern.com

 

Back to News/Event Listing