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.
Click the links below for instructions on how to read your meter, self-read dates and a postcard you can use to submit your meter readings.
Natural gas dials represent the amount of natural gas measured in volumes of hundreds of cubic feet (ccf).
A gas meter is driven by the force of the moving gas in the pipe, and also turns faster as the flow increases. Each time the dial with the lower value makes one complete revolution, the pointer on the next higher value dial moves ahead one digit.
In the example above, the reading is: 6 2 3 8
The basic unit of measure of electric power is the watt. One thousand watts is called a kilowatt.
When you use one thousand watts of power in one hour, you have used one kilowatt (kWh).
We bill you by the kWh. Your electric meter is a digital meter that has an electronic display that displays the current reading, like a digital clock.
When reading an electric meter, write down the numbers as shown on the meter.
NorthWestern Energy began installation in Montana in 2021. Here is a list of approximate dates for the Montana Meter Upgrade project by area:
A NorthWestern Energy employee will install your new meter or module.
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.
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.
Date: Oct 6, 2026
TYPE: News
MISSOULA, Mont. — Oct. 6, 2026 — NorthWestern Energy is partnering with Friends of the Children – Western Montana again to collect new or gently used warm clothing for children in need. NorthWestern Energy employees and members of the public are invited to drop off donations from Oct. 9 to 30 at the NorthWestern Energy Customer Service Center in Missoula, 1903 S. Russell Street, during regular business hours. Friends of the Children will distribute the clothing to children participating in its program.
“This drive is about neighbors coming together to make sure children can stay warm and active through our Montana winters,” said NorthWestern Energy Community Relations Manager Todd Rahr. “Friends of the Children’s work is changing lives and we’re proud to help support their mission.”
Friends of the Children – Western Montana impacts generational change by empowering youth who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors. The organization provides youth with long-term, consistent relationships with professional, salaried mentors—called “Friends”—who walk alongside children for 12+ years, from kindergarten through graduation. The organization currently serves 56 youth in Missoula, helping them and their families build resilience, achieve academic success, and break cycles of intergenerational poverty and trauma.
“Our families often face difficult choices between meeting basic needs,” said Executive Director Ben Davis of Friends of the Children – Western Montana. “This kind of community support truly helps our kids feel cared for and ready to thrive this winter.”
NorthWestern Energy Warming Clothing Drive
Thank you for helping us share the warmth this winter, one warm clothing donation at a time.
Friends of the Children – Western Montana
Friends of the Children – Western Montana is an independent chapter of the Friends of the Children National Network. The Western Montana chapter was established in 2021 and partners with families to break cycles of generational poverty and trauma for children who are facing the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors from kindergarten through high school graduation, for 12+ years, no matter what. To learn more, visit friendswesternmt.org.
Follow Friends of the Children – Western Montana on Facebook and LinkedIn and Instagram: @friendsmontana
NorthWestern Energy - Delivering a Bright Future
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 work to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. We do this by providing low-cost and reliable service 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. Our operations in Montana and Yellowstone National Park are conducted through our subsidiary, NW Corp, and our operations in South Dakota and Nebraska are conducted through our subsidiary, NWE Public Service. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002.
Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and Instagram: @NorthWesternEnergy
Media Contacts:
Friends of the Children – Western Montana
Alek Nelson, Development and Communications Associate
anelson@friendsmontana.org
406-370-0532
NorthWestern Energy
Todd Rahr, Community Relations Manager
todd.rahr@northwestern.com
406-542-6004
