Climate groups call for release of NorthWestern Energy data center deals

NorthWestern Energy, Montana's largest utility, has signed letters of intent with three data center developers to supply power to their facilities. Despite being subject to regulation by the Public Service Commission (PSC), the details of these agreements have largely remained confidential after the PSC granted NorthWestern Energy a protective order, allowing redacted documents to be withheld from public view. However, a coalition of public interest groups, including Climate Smart Missoula, has filed a motion challenging this protective order. They argue that the confidentiality infringes upon Montanans’ constitutional right to know and raises concerns that the utility's 800,000 captive ratepayers could end up covering the costs of generating power for these data centers, leading to increased electricity rates. Amy Cilimburg of Climate Smart Missoula highlighted the importance of affordable electricity and public participation in rate-setting decisions, expressing worry about potential subsidies for data centers at the expense of residents.