Candidates lay out policy positions in eastern U.S. House race
Candidates in Montana’s eastern U.S. House race outlined differing views on artificial intelligence data centers. They debated local control, electricity and water demands, environmental safeguards, Missoula County’s moratorium on new data center construction and a proposed project in Yellowstone County.
Republican Rep. Troy Downing said data center permitting and zoning should remain under state and local control, opposing a nationwide federal mandate or moratorium. He said developers should explain how they will obtain electricity, potentially build their own generation and account for long-term water availability. Independent candidate Michael Eisenhauer likewise favored local decision-making, but called for enforceable protections on noise, cooling systems, energy use and construction, along with community benefits for hosting facilities.
Democrat Brian Miller questioned whether Montana has enough power to support large-scale data centers and said he is representing residents opposing a proposed project in Yellowstone County. He accused NorthWestern Energy, Gov. Greg Gianforte and the Montana Public Service Commission of lacking transparency, and argued that water should be prioritized for agriculture while eastern Montana remains in drought. Downing said he respected Missoula County’s one-year moratorium, while Miller said data center development should not be considered until drought conditions improve.