NorthWestern Energy

Data Center Signal is tracking 10 clips about NorthWestern Energy data center developments across 2 states, including MT, WY.

10Clips

2States

States

Topics

electricity100%

government80%

opposition50%

water40%

zoning20%

environmental20%

legal20%

moratorium20%

announcement10%

News ClipBozeman Daily Chronicle·Butte, Silver Bow County, MT

Data center visit reinforces support among some Butte commissioners, yet questions linger

Butte-Silver Bow commissioners visited a Sabey Data Center in Quincy, Washington, to inform their decision on a proposed $1 billion data center in Butte, Montana. While many found the visit reassuring regarding noise and water use, questions remain about development plans, tax revenues, utility rates, and public engagement. A final vote on the development agreement with Sabey Data Centers is pending.

zoning opposition environmental government electricity water

4/7/2026

News ClipCowboy State Daily·Cheyenne, Laramie County, WY

Why There's A Growing Opposition to Data Centers Across Rural America

Rural communities in states like Wyoming, Maine, and Montana are organizing opposition to data center developments due to concerns over water usage, rising electricity costs, and lack of transparency. Wyoming's Cheyenne Area Landowners Coalition is actively engaging local utilities, while Maine's Senate is considering a proposed 18-month statewide moratorium. A Montana legislator is also pushing for a development pause.

opposition electricity water moratorium government zoning

4/4/2026

News ClipDaily Montanan·Bonner, Missoula County, MT

NorthWestern Energy files data center tariff proposal

NorthWestern Energy has filed a "Large New Load Tariff" application with the Montana Public Service Commission to establish terms for serving data centers, which are controversial in the state due to concerns about water and electricity costs. The Montana Environmental Information Center plans to intervene to advocate for greater PSC oversight and public transparency of these agreements.

electricity water government opposition

4/2/2026

News ClipThe Missoulian·Butte, Silver Bow County, MT

NorthWestern Energy proposes rules for big electricity users to 'protect existing customers'$

NorthWestern Energy has proposed new rules and requirements for large electricity users, including data centers, in Montana. The proposal aims to protect existing customers from the impacts of massive power consumption by new developments. An environmental nonprofit, however, deems these proposed rules "woefully inadequate."

electricity government

4/1/2026

News ClipKTVQ·MT

Montana environmental group fears electricity rate increase with NorthWestern-Black Hills merger

A Montana environmental group, 350 Montana, is voicing concerns about the proposed merger between NorthWestern Energy and Black Hills Energy. They fear the merger could increase electricity rates for Montanans and prioritize AI data centers, urging the Public Service Commission for more transparent review. The issue has sparked debate among PSC commissioners.

electricity government environmental

3/21/2026

News ClipMontana Public Radio·MT

Climate groups call for release of NorthWestern Energy data center deals

Climate and energy groups are demanding that Montana state regulators release details of confidential agreements NorthWestern Energy signed with three data center developers. These groups argue that the protective order granted to the utility violates public right-to-know laws and could lead to existing customers subsidizing data center power costs.

electricity government legal opposition

3/19/2026

News ClipDaily Montanan·MT

NorthWestern tells PSC to throw out data center complaint

NorthWestern Energy is asking the Public Service Commission (PSC) to dismiss a complaint filed by advocacy groups regarding its electricity supply plans for data centers. The groups allege that these plans could increase costs for existing customers and that NorthWestern is not following proper legal procedures for review.

electricity government opposition

3/17/2026

News ClipDaily Montanan·Butte, Silver Bow County, MT

Public Service Commission can’t keep data center information secret, says group

A coalition of environmental groups is challenging a decision by the Montana Public Service Commission to allow NorthWestern Energy to keep information about data center deals secret. The groups argue the information should be public, as it impacts ratepayers, and that NorthWestern has not sufficiently proven the information qualifies as trade secrets. The controversy centers around NorthWestern's letters of intent with three data center developers - Atlas Power Group, Sabey Data Center Properties, and Quantica Infrastructure - which have proposed projects in Butte and outside of Billings. NorthWestern wants to keep the details of these agreements private, but the groups say this violates Montana's right-to-know laws.

electricity water government legal

3/13/2026

News ClipBozeman Daily Chronicle·Bozeman, Gallatin County, MT

Karin Kirk: NorthWestern Energy talks transparency while hiding behind redacted documents

This story discusses NorthWestern Energy's plans to serve at least three, and as many as five, data centers in Montana with a total load of nearly 1,175 MW in the next few years, reaching 2,250 MW by 2030. The story criticizes NorthWestern Energy's lack of transparency around these data center plans, arguing that the company needs to provide more public information and oversight.

electricity announcement

3/13/2026

News ClipMissoula Current·Missoula, Missoula County, MT

Energy watchdogs: Data-center protective order is unconstitutional

Montanans are objecting to the Montana Public Service Commission granting NorthWestern Energy a protective order to hide details of three proposed large data centers from ratepayers. Climate Smart Missoula and six other nonprofits have challenged the PSC's decision, arguing it is unconstitutional and that utility customers have a right to know how the data centers will impact energy affordability and grid reliability. NorthWestern Energy has signed letters of intent to provide power to the three data center developers - Atlas Power Group, Sabey Data Center Properties, and Quantica Infrastructure. The plaintiffs argue NorthWestern should not be able to easily hide information from the public as a monopoly utility provider.

electricity moratorium

3/13/2026