Montana Meter Upgrade

NorthWestern Energy Meter Project

A contractor with NorthWestern Energy changes out a meter.

NorthWestern Energy Meter Project

Watch a video to learn about the benefits of our new meters and what to expect when your meter is changed out.

NorthWestern Energy will install 590,000 new electric meters and gas modules in Montana.

  • 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.

Montana Digital Meter Upgrade

590,000
meters and modules will be replaced.
4 years
The project began in 2021 and runs through 2024.
60%
of all U.S. electric customers have smart meters today.

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

What can I expect when my meter is changed?

A technician leaves a door hangar after changing a meter.

What can I expect when my meter is changed?

Watch this video to learn more about our meter change out process.

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: July 2022 – January 2024

- July 2022 – Bozeman, Belgrade, Ennis and Cameron
- August 2022 - Jeffers and McAllister
- September 2022 – Big Sky, Pony, Churchill, Harrison, Gallatin Gateway, Manhattan, Norris, Three Forks, Willow Creek
- November 2022 – Amsterdam
- December 2022 – Logan
- January 2023 - Livingston
- May 2023 - Gardiner
- June 2023 - Jardine
- July 2023 - Big Timber, Springdale
- August 2023 - Greycliff• Billings Division: September 2023 – September 2024
• Lewistown District: February 2024 – July 2024
• Havre District: April 2024 – October 2024
• Helena Division: June 2024 – May 2025
• Great Falls Division: August 2024 – May 2025

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Upgraded advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) meters provide useful customer benefits, such as timely detection of outages and real-time energy usage. However, Montana law allows residential customers to opt-out of the use of advanced metering devices. 

Learn more about your options or download the Application to Opt-Out of Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI).

You can also contact the Montana Public Service Commission with questions about your rights to opt-out of the use of advanced metering devices at 1-800-646-6150.

 

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. 

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