Group asks Cascade County to pause data center development

The Golden Triangle Resource Council, a regional conservation group, has formally requested Cascade County commissioners to implement a temporary halt on data center development, echoing similar grassroots movements throughout Montana. During a recent commission meeting, the council presented a petition with approximately 250 signatures, urging three specific actions.

First, they asked the commission to encourage the Montana Public Service Commission to investigate consumer protections related to data centers. Second, they called on Governor Greg Gianforte to initiate similar explorations through his Energy Task Force. Finally, and most notably, the petition requested the commissioners to enact a county-level moratorium on hyperscale data center development until appropriate regulations are established. Steve Grout, a council member, emphasized the community's desire to safeguard resources and finances before large-scale data centers become prevalent.

This push for a moratorium comes after real estate developer TAC Data Centers withdrew a proposal last year for a hyperscale project in Great Falls that would have required up to 600 megawatts of electricity. Despite this, the Great Falls Development Alliance continues to explore data center development, forming a task force to understand potential benefits and impacts. Citizen-led initiatives are also gaining traction in other parts of the state, including Yellowstone and Silver Bow counties, where ballot initiatives requiring voter approval for data center projects are being pursued.