Black Hills Corporation

Timing of Helena utility merger hearing runs right into debate over data centers

A public hearing in Helena, Montana, for the Northwestern Energy and Black Hills Corporation merger is heavily influenced by the debate over powering data centers across the state. Public speakers are raising concerns about environmental impacts and reliance on coal, while company executives discuss economic growth. Specific data center projects in Missoula and Yellowstone counties are highlighted as examples of the significant energy demands under discussion.