Missoula Co. leaders hold Q&A on data center study
Missoula County leaders held a public Q&A about a study examining the potential health, safety and environmental impacts of new data centers. The session followed the county’s approval of a one-year moratorium, with residents urging officials to consider banning evaporative cooling while state lawmakers weigh broader policies.
Missoula County officials hosted a public question-and-answer session after approving a one-year moratorium on new data center construction and releasing an impact study. The study concluded that data centers could pose significant health, safety and environmental impacts, supporting the county’s decision to impose the temporary pause under state emergency-order requirements.
Residents offered recommendations during the meeting, including a proposal to prohibit evaporative cooling because of its water use. State Rep. Bob Carter, D-Missoula, said similar concerns are emerging statewide, but significant state-level action could be about a year away. The Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board and Board of County Commissioners scheduled additional public meetings in November.