Karin Kirk: NorthWestern Energy talks transparency while hiding behind redacted documents
News ClipBozeman Daily Chronicle·Bozeman, Gallatin County, MT·3/13/2026
This story discusses NorthWestern Energy's plans to serve at least three, and as many as five, data centers in Montana with a total load of nearly 1,175 MW in the next few years, reaching 2,250 MW by 2030. The story criticizes NorthWestern Energy's lack of transparency around these data center plans, arguing that the company needs to provide more public information and oversight.
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NorthWestern Energy, a Montana utility, has announced plans to serve three to five data centers with up to 2,250 MW of electricity demand by 2030. However, the company has been criticized for lack of transparency, delaying the release of its "large load tariff" that would set terms and pricing for data centers. Karin Kirk, a geologist and columnist, argues that NorthWestern Energy is being disingenuous, as it has redacted details of its agreements with data centers, preventing public scrutiny. The Montana Public Service Commission has allowed NorthWestern Energy to keep these documents secret, which Kirk says is the opposite of a public process.