Montana Democrats talk conservation at congressional candidate forum

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported on a congressional candidate forum held at the Willson Auditorium in Bozeman, where four Democratic contenders for Montana's 1st Congressional District seat addressed primarily environmental issues. Candidates Russell Cleveland, Ryan Busse, Sam Forstag, and Matt Rains discussed topics ranging from public land management and rising gas prices to the balance between data center opportunities and environmental concerns. When questioned about data centers, the candidates voiced significant apprehension. Sam Forstag proposed federal requirements for data centers to generate their own power and maximize water efficiency, warning about the existential threat of artificial intelligence to the economy. Russell Cleveland advocated for a moratorium on data center development in Montana, demanding transparency and specific schematics from tech companies regarding cooling, power, and sound production to protect the environment and residents. Ryan Busse highlighted the immense energy consumption of a single data center, which he stated could exceed all residential customers in Montana combined, urging caution against corporations making empty promises. Matt Rains emphasized the need for federal regulation of data centers, suggesting a new government department or an expansion within the Department of Energy to oversee technology development responsibly while ensuring the U.S. remains a leader in AI. The forum, sponsored by the environmental advocacy nonprofit Montana Conservation Voters, took place less than 60 days before the June 2 Democratic primary, underscoring the political significance of these environmental and development issues in the district.