NorthWestern Energy

Data Center Signal is tracking 30 clips about NorthWestern Energy data center developments across 2 states, including MT, WY.

30Clips

2States

States

Topics

electricity100%

government83%

opposition53%

environmental40%

announcement23%

water20%

zoning13%

moratorium7%

legal7%

News ClipThe Livingston Enterprise·Missoula County, MT

High interest in data center discussion at Public Service Commission

NorthWestern Energy has proposed a new electricity tariff for data centers to the Montana Public Service Commission. Many stakeholders, including state and local government entities, consumer groups, and environmental organizations, are seeking to intervene in the case. These groups aim to ensure that the new tariff is fair, transparent, and does not unduly burden existing customers or the environment.

electricity government environmental

7/16/2026

News ClipThe Independent Record·Billings, Yellowstone County, MT

Billings council member intervenes in NorthWestern data center rate case$

A Billings City Council member and former Public Service Commissioner, Tony O'Donnell, is intervening in a NorthWestern Energy rate case to ensure data centers using 5MW or more fully cover their electricity and infrastructure costs. O'Donnell aims to protect ratepayers from the financial risks associated with power-hungry data centers, advocating that company shareholders should bear the risks of potential obsolescence. This intervention supports a proposed tariff designed to prevent existing customers from being harmed by the demands of new data facilities.

electricity government

7/2/2026

News ClipDaily Montanan·Helena, Lewis And Clark County, MT

Public Service Commission reduces public meetings on NorthWestern Energy plan

The Montana Public Service Commission has reduced the number of public meetings for NorthWestern Energy's Integrated Resource Plan, which addresses major data center electricity loads. Advocacy groups, including the Montana Environmental Information Center, have voiced concerns over the limited opportunities for public input. The PSC cites staffing shortages and a shortened review period mandated by a new state law for the reduction.

electricity government opposition

6/28/2026

News ClipMissoula Current·Missoula, Missoula County, MT

High interest in data center discussion at Montana PSC

NorthWestern Energy has proposed new electricity tariffs for data centers in Montana, prompting a high level of interest and intervention requests from various groups, including state government and the City of Missoula. Concerns are primarily focused on the potential for increased energy costs for existing customers and the transparency of data center development projects.

electricity government

6/23/2026

News ClipDaily Montanan·Missoula, Missoula County, MT

High interest in data center discussion at Public Service Commission

NorthWestern Energy has proposed a new tariff for data centers in Montana, prompting concerns from various groups, including senior citizens, industrial customers, environmental advocates, and the City of Missoula, about potential electricity cost increases for existing customers. The Montana Public Service Commission will address the case, with several entities having formally intervened to participate.

electricity government opposition

6/22/2026

News ClipMontana Free Press·Broadview, Yellowstone County, MT

Agreement between data center developer and union federation thin on details

Quantica Infrastructure announced a memorandum of understanding with the Southeastern Montana Building and Construction Trades Council for a massive 5,000-acre data center campus near Broadview, Montana. While the agreement focuses on union labor, details remain scarce. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the project's potential impacts and its demand for 7,000 megawatts of power.

announcement environmental electricity government

6/18/2026

News ClipBillings Gazette·Broadview, Yellowstone County, MT

Opposition wants NorthWestern merger case reopened after Broadview data center plans emerged$

Opposition groups are calling for the reopening of a hearing on the proposed NorthWestern Energy merger. This demand comes after news emerged about a data center and power plant planned by Quantica near Broadview, Montana, raising concerns about consumer financial risks.

opposition government electricity announcement

6/10/2026

News ClipRavalli Republic·MT

Opinion: Montana debates NorthWestern Energy's data center electricity supply$

Former Senator Thomas E. Towe questions whether NorthWestern Energy should be prohibited from supplying electricity to data centers in Montana. He raises concerns about potential increases in electricity bills for ratepayers and serious environmental damage. The discussion is framed around protecting Montana residents from the impacts of data center development.

electricity environmental government

5/31/2026

News ClipKTVQ·Billings, Yellowstone County, MT

Yellowstone County officials hear proposal for 10-acre battery energy storage facility

NextEra Energy introduced plans for the "McFarland Energy Storage Project," a 10-acre battery energy storage facility, to Yellowstone County Commissioners. This proposed facility aims to enhance grid reliability and meet growing energy demand in Montana, although it is still in its early stages. The project is explicitly stated as being unrelated to a separate proposed AI data center.

electricity announcement government

5/23/2026

News ClipBillings Gazette·Billings, Yellowstone County, MT

Data center developer unveils huge power plans north of Billings$

Quantica Infrastructure, a data center company planning to build north of Billings, announced plans to generate 7,235 megawatts of power, exceeding Montana's current generation capacity. This massive proposal includes 1,785 megawatts of gas-fired generation and is currently in the interconnection study phase with NorthWestern Energy. The company states it will cover all associated costs to avoid impacting ratepayers.

electricity environmental announcement government

5/22/2026

News ClipKTVQ·Broadview, Yellowstone County, MT

Proposed Data Center in Broadview, Montana Raises Environmental Concerns

A Laurel resident is reflecting on the negative effects of an existing gas plant built by NorthWestern Energy as a new proposal for a large data center emerges near Broadview, Montana. The proposed Quantica data center would require substantial energy, potentially from multiple new gas plants, raising significant environmental concerns about air pollution and water use among local residents and conservation groups.

environmental electricity opposition

5/22/2026

News ClipMontana Free Press·Bonner, Missoula County, MT

Water, energy, land use: Missoula data center proposal prompts questions

A proposed data center in Bonner, Montana, by Krambu, is prompting public concern over its potential impacts on water, energy, and land use. Over 100 people attended a panel discussion in Missoula to address these issues, as Missoula County reviews the facility's application. Broader statewide concerns exist regarding data centers straining Montana's electrical grid and increasing rates for residents.

zoning opposition environmental electricity water

5/21/2026

News ClipMontana State Exponent·Missoula, Missoula County, MT

'We've never seen anything like this': Groups warn of data centers at Missoula meeting

Environmental nonprofits held a public meeting in Missoula, Montana, to raise concerns about the substantial electricity consumption of proposed data centers in the state. They warned that these centers could significantly increase residential electricity rates and expressed worry about potential environmental and financial costs. The Montana Public Service Commission is currently reviewing a proposed "large load tariff" by NorthWestern Energy to regulate power supply to these facilities.

electricity environmental opposition government

5/21/2026

News ClipMontana State Exponent·Billings, Yellowstone County, MT

Opposing parties present closing arguments on proposed NorthWestern merger

The Montana Public Service Commission concluded hearings on a proposed merger between NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Energy. Opponents, including environmental groups, warned the merger could open the door for more data centers, burdening ratepayers with electricity costs. The commission will decide in coming months whether the merger is in the public interest.

electricity government opposition

5/19/2026

News ClipNBC Montana·Helena, Lewis And Clark County, MT

What happens to utility bills when data centers come to town?

NorthWestern Energy in Montana has secured agreements with several data centers, leading to concerns among consumer advocates and environmental groups about potential electricity rate hikes for existing customers. These groups are pushing the Public Service Commission for greater transparency and scrutiny of the utility's deals. Experts highlight the need for strong oversight and specific tariffs to protect ratepayers from infrastructure costs associated with new data center development.

electricity government opposition

5/11/2026

News ClipBillings Gazette·MT

NorthWestern Energy's proposed merger with Black Hills Energy driven by data center growth$

NorthWestern Energy is pursuing a merger with South Dakota utility Black Hills Energy, despite publicly denying that data centers are the underlying reason. However, company executives reportedly informed investors that data center demand is a primary driver for the proposed deal. The article is an opinion piece from the Montana Environmental Information Center, highlighting a perceived contradiction in the company's messaging.

electricity announcement

5/9/2026

News ClipBozeman Daily Chronicle·MT

NorthWestern Energy merger plans linked to data center growth

NorthWestern Energy is seeking approval from the Montana Public Service Commission for a merger with Black Hills Energy, which critics allege is primarily driven by data center expansion. The Montana Environmental Information Center and concerned citizens are urging the PSC to consider the potential impacts on electricity rates, water resources, and local control. The PSC hearing is scheduled for May 12.

electricity water government opposition zoning

5/9/2026

News ClipMissoula Current·MT

NorthWestern Energy Merger and Data Center Plans Under Scrutiny in Montana

NorthWestern Energy is pursuing a merger with Black Hills Energy, which its executives admit is driven by the desire to capture data center opportunities, despite denying this publicly. Opponents are urging the Montana Public Service Commission to demand transparency regarding 14 proposed data center projects before approving the merger, citing concerns about water resources and electricity rates for Montanans. A public hearing on the merger is scheduled.

electricity government opposition environmental

5/8/2026

News ClipDaily Montanan·MT

NorthWestern’s mega-monopoly merger is all about data centers

A proposed merger between NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Energy is reportedly driven by data center opportunities, despite NorthWestern's denials to the public and regulators. Critics, including the Montana Environmental Information Center, are concerned about a lack of transparency regarding the impact of 14 proposed data center projects on electricity rates and water resources in Montana. A Public Service Commission hearing on the merger is pending, amidst ongoing public opposition.

electricity government environmental opposition

5/6/2026

News ClipMontana State Exponent·Broadview, Yellowstone County, MT

How a company quietly acquired 5,100 acres for a data center in Eastern Montana

Quantica Infrastructure has announced plans for the Big Sky Campus, a sprawling data center project on 5,100 acres near Broadview, Montana. The land has a complex history, initially earmarked for large-scale renewable energy projects by previous developers. Quantica has secured an agreement with NorthWestern Energy for up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity, coinciding with a major transmission line upgrade in the area.

announcement electricity government environmental

4/28/2026