DATA CENTERS IN MISSOULA COUNTY & MONTANA
Data Centers and their energy use and impacts - including whether they're powered with clean energy or fossil fuels and who actually pays for the increased energy load - is now a BIG issue in Montana. We began to engage in this issue in 2025, though for us this really started with cryptocurrency mining in 2018. Keep reading for more information and our takes on the current state of play.
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Much of the data center conversation is brought to the fore in this fantastic Missoula event held at the University of Montana on May 19.
Watch via MEIC's YouTube channel. Thanks to the cool cats at High Mountain Graphics for this graphic of our panel (right). 
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On this page we:
- share why we care
- briefly describe data center issues statewide
- highlight the Bonner Industrial /Krambu proposed site
- link data centers to Ai - oh my!
Why we are involved and why we care
- As we work to Electrify Everything - encouraging and enabling the transition from fossil fuel powered systems to those powered by clean electricity - we know the price we pay for that electricity matters. We cannot afford for data centers to increase the rates residents and business owners pay. Some may be able to add solar to offset that cost, but folks with fewer resources cannot so this is also an issue of equity.
- Many data centers are using dirty energy for their power - coal or methane (aka "natural" gas) - increasing carbon pollution and the climate crisis. Missoula's 100% Clean Electricity by 2030 goal requires NorthWestern Energy (NWE) to clean up the grid, not make it worse.
- Transparency matters. In Montana, we have a constitutional Right-to-Know, and today NWE is hiding behind "NDAs" and keeping vital information from the public. The PSC needs to demand transparency from these large load data centers and so far they have not.
- We're working for a healthy resilient community and county and any data center in should not harm our water, clean (and cool) air, and neighbors.
June. At present we are part if a cohort involved in various petitions with the Public Service Commission in their dealings with NorthWestern Energy. We are working with MEIC, NorthWest Energy Coalition, and others - represented by Earth Justice - to demand transparency, fairness, a new "rate class" for these large load data centers and more. We're waiting for PSC action. More soon.
As we develop our data center response, our small staff relies on, in part, our smart and dogged friends at MEIC. Check out their excellent website info on data centers, Northwestern's merger proposal, and more. There's even a sign on petition you can sign.
Learn more:
Learn more:
- From Montana Free Press: What happens to utility bills when data centers come to town
Bonner Industrial Site, Missoula County regulations, & more
We're tracking and involved in myriad conversations regarding the new proposal by Krambu to bring a data center to the Bonner Industrial site. We understand this brings up plenty of questions, deep concerns, and for some, opportunities. From the start we'll say this feels less like a black and white (no vs yes) issue than one with many threads and nuances. Why?
Because this site is in the Missoula urban area and within 500' of residents, any new industry must about by Missoula County zoning regulations that were developed when cryptocurrency mines were threatening neighborhood well-being and our clean energy goals.
The Board of County Commissioners
We'll resist posting everything here! All of the information regarding Krambu's applications, next steps, process, and how you can add your voice is at: Missoula County Voice - Bonner Data Center
The hearing with the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board is now postponed and will not be heard on July 1.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Because this site is in the Missoula urban area and within 500' of residents, any new industry must about by Missoula County zoning regulations that were developed when cryptocurrency mines were threatening neighborhood well-being and our clean energy goals.
The Board of County Commissioners
We'll resist posting everything here! All of the information regarding Krambu's applications, next steps, process, and how you can add your voice is at: Missoula County Voice - Bonner Data Center
The hearing with the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board is now postponed and will not be heard on July 1.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Should we talk about Ai?
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Data centers are all about Ai, right?
We find Ai incredibly difficult to wrap our arms around. Yet we are trying. Ai can help with health and disease research and cures. It can actually make our energy transmission systems run more efficiently. And it can harm. There are fine folks in Missoula trying to disentangle the fear from the reality, with a vision to help steer Ai toward strengthening civil discourse, democracy, health and more. We encourage you to:
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