Fort Peck Tribes ban discussions with data center developers
The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board has voted to ban all future discussions with data center developers on their reservation in northeast Montana. This decision comes amidst growing opposition to data centers in the state and concerns about the potential strain on natural resources, particularly water and power supplies. Tribal leaders emphasized the importance of protecting their land and resources from exploitation.
The Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board in northeast Montana has unanimously voted to prohibit all future discussions between the tribal government and entities proposing data center development on the reservation. Tribal Chairman Floyd Azure stated that three companies had approached the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes within the last year, but failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding benefits for the tribes, leading to concerns about resource exploitation.
The decision reflects mounting statewide opposition to data centers, as well as a broader trend of developers targeting tribal lands. Board member Roxanne Gourneau emphasized that the ban on discussions is intended to prevent development and protect the reservation's historically challenged water supply and environment. Data centers are known for their high demands on power and water for cooling.
Chairman Azure noted that developers often target reservations due to their exemption from state and municipal regulations, which can expedite projects. He cited Missoula County's temporary moratorium on data centers as an example of state-level regulatory efforts. The Fort Peck Tribes' action mirrors similar bans enacted by the Seminole Nation General Council and the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma, which followed studies revealing widespread community concern and potential environmental impacts. Conversely, a data center recently opened on California's Hoopa Valley Reservation to support tribally owned broadband.