Butte-Silver Bow County commission votes to pursue temporary moratorium on data centers
The Butte-Silver Bow County Commission voted to pursue a temporary moratorium on data center development, citing concerns over infrastructure, economic, environmental impacts, and electricity usage. This decision comes amidst ongoing debates and a separate legal battle where a district court sided with the county against a citizens group, which is now appealing to the Montana Supreme Court. The temporary pause aims to allow for more public engagement and thorough evaluation of the data center industry's future in the community.
The Butte-Silver Bow County Commission recently voted in favor of directing the county attorney to prepare a temporary moratorium on data center development. Commissioner Michelle Shea initiated the request, emphasizing that a pause would allow for increased public engagement and a comprehensive evaluation of the infrastructure, economic, environmental, and quality-of-life impacts associated with large-scale data centers.
Several citizens, including Jesse Gonzalez and Evan Barrett, spoke in support of the moratorium, arguing it would provide time to establish appropriate regulations. Commissioner Russell O'Leary also backed the measure, highlighting ongoing proceedings before the Montana Public Service Commission concerning large load tariffs, and expressing concerns about electricity consumption by data centers and its potential impact on Montana ratepayers.
Separately, a district court last week ruled against a citizens group that had filed a lawsuit against the county clerk. The group's lawsuit challenged the rejection of signatures for a ballot initiative that sought a public vote on data center projects. Judge Frank Joseph sided with the county in the matter, but the citizens group has since announced its intention to appeal the decision to the Montana Supreme Court.