ComplaintsforNorthWestern Energy

• Initial Complaint

  09/13/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Im not liable for this debt with Northwestern energy. I do not have a contract with Northwestern energy

  Business response

  09/20/2024

  Thank you for contacting NorthWestern Energy.

  We attempted to reach you at the number provided; however, we were unable to leave a message. To ensure your request is processed in a timely manner and to protect the security of your account information, please call us Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (local time): ******* and *******: ************ / ************ and ********: ************. Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  08/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I have been renting a 600sqft house for over a year and have never received a power bill for more than $60 dollars. The house does not have A/C and only has a couple of lights and a new fridge to draw electricity. I lived in the house for 16 days of my final month of service and my bill came to $430. I am not on balance billing. I went from never consuming more than 100kwh in a month to over *****kwh in the 16 days. Despite numerous calls and little help they said the bill was consistent with my usage without any check to see if their meter had malfunctioned. It is practically impossible for a half vacant 600sqft house to consume ***** kwh in a 16 day time frame.

  Business response

  08/06/2024

  Thank you for reaching out. We would be happy to review your account in detail. Unfortunately, we are unable to locate your account with the information provided. Could you please provide us with your address or account number? Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  07/17/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Northwestern Energy tore up my yard and never paid me to fix it because I wont sign their release. I did nothing wrong so I shouldnt have to sign their internally created form. They need to pay me regardless.

  Business response

  07/19/2024

  Thank you for reaching out to us with your concerns. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Regarding the payment, a signature is standard with our claims process.

• Initial Complaint

  07/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This Spring, Northwestern Energy had numerous trucks for several days in my neighborhood and directly next to the alley of my mother's home. My neighbors witnessed one of their trucks backing into the fence that is on her yard and borders the alley. The truck caused severe damage. I immediately contacted the corporate office and *********************************, VP of ***************** I received no follow up. So a week later I called again, then I got an unprofessional, unethical, and rude reply from one of her direct report underlings denying that the trucks were in proximity to our fence and that they did any damage. This despite my neighbors witnessing the incident. No wonder the company has a D+ rating...what it really deserves is an F-. A despicable act, followed by corporate lying and dismissal of a legitimate claim. I had to pay to have the fence fixed. Hoping Karma is at play with ************************ and one day she gets the same treatment.

  Business response

  07/19/2024

  Thank you for reaching out. Our investigation revealed that we did not respond to any service calls or have any projects that we were working on in the area during the reported time frame. If you have any additional information that we have not taken into account, please share it with us, and we will review it thoroughly.

• Initial Complaint

  05/03/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  05/01/2024 I came to work at 7 Am as normal, and i noticed i had no power or electricity, it put my laundry duties in jeopardy, it put my staff and my guests at our motel in jeopardy. I had no warning. None. It was humiliating to be treated in such a poor way after how much money in pAst 4 years of working here. the NORTHWESTERN ENERGY IN ********* mt came here turned the power boxes off, and put the locks on them. I never recieved the bill in the mail stating this, and as a matter of fact the last bill i recieved stated that we had until mayh 10 th 2024 to pay. This is a business in which i couldve been treated better than this and no door tag no warning no bill provided just a shut off immediately. No that isnt ok and there is not one room that that was occupied in this motel for a whole **** month and your telling me that my bill should be that high with everyhting shut off? *** had enough and this lewistown mt is a scam and *** tired of how our business is treated here . One day i can see lewistown getting sued for the behaviors they have. we have a right to be upset and complain! Need i mention i took a photo of the mans license plate from north western and i plasn to turn that in to law enforcement as he tried to run me over in my parking lot! and he yelled at me in a upmost unproffesssional manner!!!!

  Business response

  05/10/2024

  We're sorry to hear that you may have experienced unprofessional behavior. We're taking the alleged incident involving a Northwestern Energy representative very seriously and will investigate further. We've reviewed your account to ensure that our procedures were followed correctly, and we've sent the required notices to the address on file. So far, we haven't received any response from the ***** Please know that we take all complaints seriously and will work hard to resolve this matter. If you'd like to discuss this further, please contact the ************* Advocate at **********************.

  Thank you bringing this to our attention. 

  Customer response

  05/17/2024

  I havent had this issue resolved and I am still very unhappy about all of this. Hopefully you can help me in this because my bill is outrageous and more than a mortgage payment is. That is not ok!!!!

  Business response

  05/21/2024

  I want to start by apologizing again for the issues you've experienced with your bill and for the frustration it has caused. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me over the phone. I'm pleased to report that after reviewing your usage information together, we were able to identify a decrease in your usage over the past 12 months. This is a positive step! Your account will be added to Budget Billing as soon as your new billing is generated. After that, we'll get in touch with you to go over your charges in greater detail and address any additional questions you might have.

  In the meantime, please know that we're committed to finding a solution that works for you. Thank you for your patience and for giving us the opportunity to address your concerns. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

• Initial Complaint

  03/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Price gouging and a monopoly business for *******.Northwest energy has hiked its prices up 28% this year. Im not sure or understand why we do not have another energy company in this ************** is the smallest poplatikn in the country and they have co-ops, they have two different electrical companies. Northwest energy being one and the other being Dakota utilites. The rates for my electric fluctuate $350 for the month of January and February. My regular bill for October November were $180. We had a cold snap in October and my bill was still around $180. we go into January and February and they price gouges to the point where you can barely pay the bill. As a person thats living with brain cancer they will not even work with me. I called the hotline to get assistance for energy sharing they said they are not taking further applications because theyre three months behind. So what exactly does Northwest energy expect us to do when we need assistance with the bill. They offer no assistance they offer no solution, and they can simply price ***** every single bit of money that they can possibly get , once again, Im not sure why ******* only has one electrical company. Theyre allowed to raise and lower rates as they feel and they have no justification for any of it.

  Business response

  03/14/2024

  Thank you for reaching out. We are prepared to help with any concerns you may have.

  Upon speaking with the EnergyShare Department directly, we were able to confirm that the LIHEAP program and EnergyShare are currently accepting applications. They also expressed apologies for your negative experience. Please see the application attached. We also encourage you to get in touch with us at  as soon as possible so we can help provide you with the details you need to help elevate your application.

  NorthWestern Energy also offers other various programs to help you save energy and money. We have energy efficiency tips, Home EnergyChecks, energy-saving rebates and more. For more information visit NorthWesternEnergy.com/waystosave or give us a call at **************. 
  
  Colder winter weather can lead to increased electric and/or gas usage to keep your home warm, which has an impact on monthly bills. NorthWestern Energy is a regulated energy service company; thus, our price increases must be approved by the ******* ************************** We understand rising prices are a hardship. We know that our customers are facing other cost increases too. We invest heavily in our electric grid and natural gas system. Without that investment, we would not be able to consistently deliver reliable energy. We are committed to providing safe, reliable service to meet our customers needs.

• Initial Complaint

  02/29/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  2/29/24 ********** services were disconnected for non payment at 11:05 am and bill was paid in full at 10:30 am. Now they dont have to restore service until the end of the next business day. Meanwhile my house has no heat and no lights. Its criminal that Ive paid and now have to wait an entire day before my services are restored. I paid and was on the phone with the company before the services were terminated.

  Business response

  03/05/2024

  We appreciate your communication, and we are sorry for any frustration you may have had. We strive is to prevent service interruptions by sending out several proactive notifications to our customers. There are times when service cannot be restored right away because we respond to emergencies.

• Initial Complaint

  01/24/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Something's going on with northwestern energy natural gas charges. I have contacted them several times. While they say that their rates have not gone up, my natural gas charges have doubled or tripled. They show the usage of therms is double or triple what it was the previous year even though the previous year was warmer. I have called them several times and have yet to get this resolved.When I have talked to a northwestern energy agent, they cannot believe what they're seeing and agree with me that my usage is incorrect.Who regulates northwestern energy when the bill is obviously incorrect. Do I continue to allow them to overcharge me?Would it be possible for someone to contact me?

  Business response

  01/31/2024

  As a result of this customer's concerns and the increased usage, our servicemen have checked the gas meter two different times. At both visits, the servicemen checked the pressure, the **** and read the meter, and no issues were found with the meter. We have provided the customer with interval usage to identify at what days and times the gas usage is being used; however, we are not able to determine what would be using gas inside the home.

  Customer response

  01/31/2024

  Northwestern energy came out to the house and sat in their truck but said that they came to the door which they did not. They said they went to the meter to check it which they did not. I have security cameras all around my home. They have tried to call me from a block number and left a quick 8 second message but have not got back to me with a resolution. I believe the new meters that they have installed are to their advantage for profit.

  Business response

  02/09/2024

  We would advise the customer to call a plumber or HVAC specialist to have all of the equipment inspected and to confirm what would be consuming gas as we are unable to determine what would be using it after the meter.
  

  We apologize for any confusion that *** have resulted from our serviceman's visits to your premise, various scenarios can result in our serviceman remaining in their vehicle. During a visit the following day our serviceman came up to the home and knocked and then attempted to reach the customer two different times by phone. For safety and security reasons,the servicemans phone numbers are blocked. The serviceman attempted to call the following day from a number that was not blocked, but we were unable to reach the customer. 

  Customer response

  02/09/2024

   
  Complaint: 21191255
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I have had a plumber and HVAC inspect all of my systems that use natural gas. They found no leaks. The first serviceman from NWE that replaced the meter said he found no leaks.

  NWE can make an appointment with me to inspect the premises again if they would like. They can email me or text the date that works for them so that we can meet.

  Because the weather was warmer and they show I used double the natural gas, I would like the meter that *** be causing all the problems replaced and a reasonable refund.

  My email is ******************* or ************************

  Text ************

  Thanks

   

   

  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

  Customer response

  02/18/2024

   Northwestern Energy is overcharging. I continue to register this complaint. I have a previous complaint that has not been resolved. My bill has more than doubled for no reason that anyone can explain. I have asked that someone research this and contact me to set up an appointment. Is Northwestern Energy just able to do anything they want? Just in February, therms used went from 143 ** to 363 ** and no one can explain it. Other than them replacing the meter, I haven't done anything different. Did they replace it to charge more?

  Business response

  02/20/2024

  We would be happy to assist you with your request, we will have an agent from our *********** contact you to complete your request. Thank you. 

  Customer response

  02/20/2024

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

   

  They have offered to contact me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  04/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  This business is astoundingly horrible. They run a monopoly on electricity in ******* and **** prices, shut off power, and basically strong arm people into either paying EXORBITANT amounts of money for what amounts to very little electricity.Why is this allowed to continue? Currently I will be learning how to bring a co-op into our town, and I advise anyone who has to deal with this vile organization do that same. Northwestern, I hope to one day see your demise in *******. You are a stain that doesn't belong here.

  Business response

  04/28/2023

  NorthWestern Energy is obligated to provide safe, reliable energy service at the most affordable rates to our ******* customers.

  For more than 100 years,NorthWestern Energy has been committed to delivering innovative energy solutions.

• Initial Complaint

  03/22/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The rising cost of electricity is getting to be just as bad as rent. We don't even get a choice on our rates because they have a monopoly on energy in *******. My bill more than doubled in just the past 6 months well over $200. The rates just keep going up and up. I want a choice I have never liked northwestern energy they are always rude and difficult to work with some other company needs to come in with better rates and push this company aside as a main electric company. Is there anything that can be done about this. Would a lawsuit benefit the people of ******* to get everyone better rates and not have to deal with this rude and overpriced company?Fix your company it's only a matter of time before the people stand up and push back. It's time to get out of the dark ages and move to the light of solar energy not only is it cheaper to maintain and distribute but it is better for our planet. Other states are already making it a law that coal be no longer used within their states it's time for us to embrace change and better our people and our planet. I don't want to pay such high rates in a state that is already over priced to live in. I was born here and I feel like I am being pushed out by companies that are not from here.

  Business response

  03/31/2023

  We know many Americans are facing challenging times, and no one wants to see rising electric and natural gas bills. We are also committed to providing safe, reliable service to meet our customers needs, while working to build a smarter energy future that is better for you, our customers, and the environment. Customers concerned about their ability to pay their energy bill can contact NorthWestern Energy for information about energy assistance programs and to arrange flexible payment options.

  NorthWestern Energy provides natural gas and electricity services through tariffs filed with and approved by the ******* ************** Commission

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩