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: Feb 11, 2026
TYPE: News
Category: Investors
BUTTE, MT / SIOUX FALLS, SD - February 11, 2026 - NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE) reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025. Net income for the period was $181.1 million, or $2.94 per diluted share, as compared with net income of $224.1 million, or $3.65 per diluted share, for the same period in 2024. This decrease was primarily due to higher operating expenses, including a non-cash charge for the regulatory disallowance of certain Yellowstone County Generating Station (YCGS) capital costs, merger-related costs, and depreciation, interest expense, Montana property tax tracker collections, non-recoverable Montana electric supply costs, and higher income tax expense. These were partly offset by higher rates, electric transmission revenue, natural gas transportation revenues, and retail volumes.
NorthWestern's 2025 non-GAAP net income and earnings per share were $220.1 million and $3.58, respectively, compared to $208.9 million and $3.40 in 2024. See “Adjusted Non-GAAP Earnings” and “Non- GAAP Financial Measures” sections below for more information on these measures.
“We are pleased to report on what has been an exceptionally busy and transformational year for NorthWestern” said Brian Bird, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Throughout 2025, we advanced several major initiatives to support safe, reliable, and affordable service for our customers across Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. In Montana, the passage of House Bill 490 was a critical achievement, providing clarity and limits around wildfire-related risks and offering greater certainty for our customers, communities, and investors. We also completed the Energy West acquisition, welcoming roughly 33,000 new natural gas customers to our system. In addition, we completed our Montana electric and natural gas rate review in December, receiving recovery of the significant investments we made to reliably serve our customers and incorporating the Yellowstone County Generating Station into rates — an asset that had already been delivering value to customers since the start of 2025.”
“The year also marked important steps forward in our long-term strategic vision. We announced our merger agreement with Black Hills Corporation in August, a combination that will create a stronger, more resilient utility better positioned for the future. Together, we have filed applications with regulators in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and FERC, targeting a close in the back half of 2026. We also completed the acquisition of the Avista and Puget Colstrip interests on January 1, 2026—a timely and strategic transaction that advances resource adequacy, protects our ability to serve our Montana customers reliably and affordably, and supports the potential integration of large-load customers, delivering long-term benefits for our customers, communities, and investors. Our progress this year reflects the dedication of our exceptional employees and the trust of the customers and communities we proudly serve, and as we move into another year of strong execution, we remain committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable energy while advancing long-term value for our shareholders,” said Bird.
Read the full Press Release or visit Financial/Webcasts to learn more.
NorthWestern Energy - Delivering a Bright Future
NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., 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 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 842,100 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.
Investor Relations Contact:
Travis Meyer
(605) 978-2967
Media Contact:
Jo Dee Black
866-622-8081
