Missoula County commissioners adopt zoning moratorium for AI data centers
Missoula County commissioners unanimously adopted a year-long moratorium on new AI data centers countywide. This decision was made to allow the county time to study the impacts of data centers and develop future regulations, following significant public opposition to a previously proposed data center in Bonner.
Missoula County commissioners have enacted a year-long moratorium on new AI data centers across the county, effective immediately. The decision, made on Thursday, was met with unanimous public support and comes after months of community debate and the failure of a proposed AI data center project in Bonner.
The moratorium will provide the county with time to study the potential impacts of data centers, including concerns over water usage and Legionella risk, and to develop comprehensive regulations. Community members expressed their sustained vigilance, acknowledging that the moratorium is a temporary measure and the broader opposition to data center development in the region is an ongoing effort. Commissioner Josh Slotnick echoed this sentiment, urging residents to continue advocating for stronger protections at the state legislative level.