Missoula County officially adopts data-center moratorium
Missoula County commissioners have officially enacted a year-long moratorium on new AI data centers countywide. This decision follows strong community opposition to a previously proposed AI data center in Bonner, which ultimately failed. The moratorium aims to provide time for the county to study the impacts of data centers and establish future regulations.
Missoula County commissioners unanimously voted to adopt a year-long moratorium on new artificial intelligence (AI) data centers across the county. The moratorium, which went into effect immediately, was passed during a public meeting where community members voiced strong support.
The decision comes after significant public opposition to a proposed AI data center in Bonner, which eventually failed to materialize. One of the property owners involved in that project subsequently withdrew from Krambu's data center application. Residents highlighted that the previous project demonstrated a need for stronger rules, citing issues like contradictory water use figures and unaddressed Legionella risk.
The county brought forth the moratorium to allow officials more time to study the environmental and infrastructural impacts of data centers before implementing permanent regulations. Commissioner Josh Slotnick, who voted in favor, acknowledged the community's ongoing efforts and urged them to continue advocating for stronger regulations at the state legislative level, as the moratorium is a temporary measure that may be extended but will not last indefinitely.