Missoula Co. unanimously passes 1-year moratorium on data centers
Missoula County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on all new artificial intelligence data center projects, making it the first county in Montana to do so. The decision followed public concerns about data centers' impact on water, energy use, noise, heat, and air quality, and came shortly after a contentious Krambu project in Bonner was halted.
Missoula County commissioners have unanimously enacted a one-year moratorium on all new artificial intelligence data center projects, marking Montana's first such county-level pause. The decision was prompted by widespread community concerns regarding the environmental impacts of data centers, including their high water and energy consumption, noise pollution, heat generation, and effects on air quality.
The vote came days after a controversial data center project by Idaho-based company Krambu in Bonner was halted. Commissioner Josh Slotnick highlighted existing zoning laws and the need for county code updates, noting that past definitions of data centers did not account for the extensive impacts now being observed. Nathan Stephens, a fourth-generation Missoulian, expressed gratitude to the Bonner Mill property owner for withdrawing support for the Krambu project after hearing community concerns.
During public comment, residents, including Ally Duval, called for a moratorium longer than one year, with some suggesting two to four years to thoroughly understand data center impacts. However, Missoula's Deputy County Attorney Josh Hart explained that state law generally limits interim zoning measures, such as this moratorium, to one year, with a provision for a single extension if justified.
Commissioner Slotnick also raised concerns about potential legislative interference, noting the Montana Legislature's history of undoing actions taken by Missoula County. As of July, Missoula's action adds to at least 55 other counties nationwide that have implemented data center moratoriums.