NorthWestern Energy

Data Center Signal is tracking 40 clips about NorthWestern Energy data center developments across 2 states, including MT, WY.

40Clips

2States

States

Topics

electricity100%

government88%

opposition63%

environmental55%

water25%

announcement23%

zoning18%

moratorium18%

legal5%

News ClipNBC Montana·Missoula County, MT

Missoula Co. releases AI data center study amid 1-year pause

Missoula County released a study supporting its one-year pause on new data center construction, citing potential electricity demand, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, wildlife and residential compatibility impacts. County officials plan to strengthen data center zoning, address electricity costs with NorthWestern Energy and the Montana Public Service Commission, and consider extending the moratorium after the 2027 legislative session.

moratorium zoning electricity environmental government

10/22/2026

News ClipNBC Montana·MT

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.

moratorium opposition electricity water environmental government

10/5/2026

News ClipBozeman Daily Chronicle·Miles City, Custer County, MT

Power, housing and public opinion: The hurdles between eastern Montana and its first data center

Eastern Montana faces significant hurdles in developing its first large-scale data center, including public opposition, substantial electricity demands, and a shortage of housing for workers. Custer County residents are actively debating proposed zoning revisions, with some advocating for a two-year moratorium due to environmental and resource concerns. Despite these challenges, developers and economic officials see strong interest in the region.

zoning opposition environmental electricity water moratorium government

9/26/2026

News ClipMontana Free Press·Yellowstone County, MT

New data centers face opposition from registered voters in Montana

A new poll reveals widespread opposition among Montana voters to data centers in their communities, with nearly three-quarters against such developments. Concerns about electricity prices and the need for state regulation are prominent, leading to grassroots petitions for moratoriums and legislative action. Lawmakers are already drafting bills to address the impacts of data centers on utility customers and the environment.

opposition government electricity water moratorium environmental

9/17/2026

News ClipNonstop Local News Montana·Helena, Lewis and Clark County, MT

Montana U.S. Senate Candidates weigh in on Data Centers and AI

Montana's US Senate candidates are actively debating data center development and AI, focusing on transparency, local control, and potential impacts on ratepayers, the environment, and water resources. Several candidates voiced opposition to unchecked growth, with one specifically calling for a moratorium on large data center projects until impacts can be thoroughly studied.

government opposition electricity environmental water moratorium zoning announcement

9/2/2026

News ClipBozeman Daily Chronicle·MT

NorthWestern Energy’s power plan found ‘deficient’ by independent review

Montana state regulators have ordered NorthWestern Energy to revise its 20-year power plan, known as the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), after an independent review found it deficient. The plan, which estimates future power needs and supply, was criticized by commissioners, public commenters, and environmental groups for failing to adequately justify investments in new power resources, address affordability, or account for climate change. A key deficiency highlighted was the plan's uncertainty regarding future power needs for data centers and the potential for costs to be passed to existing customers.

electricity environmental government opposition

8/30/2026

News ClipThe Glasgow Courier·MT

NorthWestern Energy's resource plan gets criticisms for ignoring data centers

NorthWestern Energy's long-term resource plan is facing criticism from the public and advocacy groups for not adequately addressing the impact of data centers on power bills and the environment, and for favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy. The Montana Public Service Commission is set to review the plan in mid-August, though it only has the authority to identify deficiencies. Critics allege the plan fails to accurately project data center demand and lacks transparency regarding agreements with developers.

electricity environmental opposition government announcement

8/5/2026

News ClipMissoula Current·MT

NW Energy’s resource plan criticized for ignoring data centers

NorthWestern Energy's Integrated Resource Plan for Montana is facing criticism from the public and advocacy groups like Earthjustice and Climate Smart Missoula. Critics argue the plan fails to adequately address climate change, understates the impact of data centers on electricity rates, and prioritizes fossil fuels over renewables. The Montana Public Service Commission is reviewing the plan, but its authority is limited to identifying deficiencies.

electricity environmental government opposition

8/3/2026

News ClipDaily Inter Lake·Kalispell, Flathead County, MT

Kalispell forum fleshes out the economics behind data centers

A forum in Kalispell, Montana, discussed the economic impacts of data centers, highlighting that only a small portion of construction capital stays local while significant tax revenue is generated post-construction. Proposed data center projects in Montana face widespread local opposition due to concerns about environmental impacts, water usage, noise pollution, and the substantial energy demands on public utilities.

electricity environmental opposition government

8/2/2026

News ClipDaily Montanan·MT

NorthWestern Energy’s resource plan gets criticisms for ignoring data centers

NorthWestern Energy's long-term energy plan is drawing criticism from the public and advocacy groups for failing to adequately address climate change, suppress fossil fuels, and properly account for the impact of data centers on consumer electricity bills. Stakeholders are urging the Montana Public Service Commission to identify deficiencies in the plan, which they say could lead to increased costs for Montanans due to data center demand. Draft consumer protection legislation is also being developed for the 2027 session.

electricity environmental government opposition

7/31/2026

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