New data centers face opposition from registered voters in Montana
A new poll reveals widespread opposition among Montana voters to data centers in their communities, with nearly three-quarters against such developments. Concerns about electricity prices and the need for state regulation are prominent, leading to grassroots petitions for moratoriums and legislative action. Lawmakers are already drafting bills to address the impacts of data centers on utility customers and the environment.
A recent Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton poll indicates strong opposition among registered Montana voters to the construction of data centers in their cities or neighboring counties, with nearly three-quarters expressing disapproval. This sentiment spans political parties, though Democrats show stronger opposition. The poll also found that 48% of voters consider data centers very important to their voting decisions in the upcoming general election.
Local communities and watchdog groups like the Montana Environmental Information Center, led by Anne Hedges, have been actively organizing against data center growth, including grassroots petitions in Butte-Silver Bow and Yellowstone counties. A petition in Yellowstone County aimed to place a data center moratorium on the November ballot but has encountered challenges from the county commission. Hedges emphasizes that Montanans are skeptical of the benefits these facilities bring to the state, fearing that ordinary citizens and NorthWestern Energy ratepayers could end up subsidizing energy costs for data centers.
NorthWestern Energy, Montana's largest energy utility, has already signed redacted agreements to power some proposed AI data centers, drawing criticism and prompting review by the Montana Public Service Commission. An overwhelming 92% of voters believe the state government should implement regulations to mitigate the impact of data centers on electricity prices, as well as protect air, water, climate, and property rights. Lawmakers are already preparing bills for the 2027 legislative session, with interim committees discussing regulatory legislation, including a bill draft to direct the PSC on utility regulation to protect residential and small business customers from bearing the costs for large energy consumers like data centers.