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 below, 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.
In the example below, the reading is: 0 0 2 1 0 8
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.
NorthWestern Energy began installation in Montana in 2021. Here is a list of approximate dates for the Montana Meter Upgrade project by area:
NorthWestern Energy contracted with Tru-Check to install the new digital meters, the same company that installed the first generation, one-way communication digital meters in 1998 that are in use today.
Tru-Check technicians will wear apparel with the Tru-Check logo and will carry a NorthWestern Energy contractor identification badge.
Most of the installations will occur Monday through Friday 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.
If you are both an electric and natural gas NorthWestern Energy customer, the new electric meter will be installed first and the new gas module will be installed during a follow-up visit to your home or business in about eight weeks.
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 the one-way communication meters in use now and the two-way communication meters that are being installed for this technology upgrade 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: Apr 16, 2025
TYPE: News
Butte, Mont. – April 16, 2025 – Colstrip Plant owners NorthWestern Energy and Talen Energy express their gratitude to Montana’s Governor Greg Gianforte, U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, U.S. Representatives Ryan Zinke and Troy Downing, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and the federal administration for the proclamation granting two years of relief from a new Environmental Protection Agency rule. This relief is crucial for the future of Montana’s power generation resource, which ensures reliable energy service in all weather conditions.
“Energy policies that consider energy reliability and energy bill impacts are in the best interest of Montana and the nation,” said Talen Montana President Dale Lebsack. "We are thankful for the recognition of these important factors."
Talen Energy President and CEO Mac McFarland added, “We greatly appreciate the engagement by the Governor, the Montana delegation, and the federal administration. Their support for Colstrip makes a significant difference and is helping to ensure reliable and reasonably priced power is available to Montana citizens.”
“This relief means our Montana customers will not be burdened with hundreds of millions of dollars of costs to comply with a new regulation that would only marginally increase the Colstrip Plant’s air toxics efficiency,” said NorthWestern Energy President and CEO Brian Bird. “The Colstrip Plant is a vital part of our balanced generation portfolio, providing reliable power to Montana customers at reasonable costs.”
The Colstrip Plant is 99.6% efficient in reducing air toxics emissions. The new rule would improve air toxics emissions to 99.8% efficient.
Today, the Colstrip Plant meets both federal and Montana's more stringent mercury standards, as well as the revised mercury standards set by the new EPA rule.
The executive proclamation allows the Colstrip Plant's owners time to effectively evaluate options for compliance with new air toxics standards and provides the federal government time to review the new EPA rule and assess its potential consequences for reliable energy service.
"We appreciate the state and federal administrations’ support in ensuring that energy reliability and affordability remain a priority”, said Bird and Lebsack. “Working together, we can deliver an energy grid – and an energy future – that is affordable, weather-resilient, responsive, and ready for the demand arriving now.”
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 775,300 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. For more information, visit www.northwesternenergy.com
About Talen
Talen Energy (NASDAQ: TLN) is a leading independent power producer and energy infrastructure company dedicated to powering the future. We own and operate approximately 10.7 gigawatts of power infrastructure in the United States, including 2.2 gigawatts of nuclear power and a significant dispatchable fossil fleet. We produce and sell electricity, capacity, and ancillary services into wholesale U.S. power markets, with our generation fleet principally located in the Mid-Atlantic and Montana. Our team is committed to generating power safely and reliably, delivering the most value per megawatt produced. Talen is also powering the digital infrastructure revolution. We are well-positioned to capture this significant growth opportunity, as data centers serving artificial intelligence increasingly demand more reliable, clean power. Talen is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, visit https://www.talenenergy.com/
Media Contacts:
NorthWestern Energy
Jo Dee Black
866-622-8081
Talen Energy
Taryne Williams
Director, Corporate Communications
Taryne.Williams@talenenergy.com
