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 -- are BIG issues. From helping develop and pass zoning regulations for cryptocurrency mining in 2018, to joining a cohort advocating for data center transparency (and more!) beginning in 2025, we're working to understand the challenges around these industrial facilities and advocate for needed protections. 

On this page:

Why we are involved and why we care

  1. It's our mission to build and accelerate climate solutions for Missoula and beyond. The (often massive) energy demand of these industrial sites impacts our ability to reduce climate pollution.​ 
  2. We cannot afford for data centers to increase the rates residents and business owners pay. As we work to Electrify Everything - moving from fossil fuel-based systems to those powered by clean electricity - the price we pay for that electricity matters. And this is an issue of equity: lower-income neighbors are least able to absorb increased energy costs or offset them with rooftop solar. 
  3. Many data centers are using dirty energy for their power - coal or methane (aka "natural") gas - increasing carbon pollution.  Missoula's 100% Clean Electricity by 2030 goal requires NorthWestern Energy (NWE) to clean up the grid, not make it worse.
  4. Transparency matters. In Montana, we have a constitutional Right-to-Know, and NWE is hiding behind non-disclosure agreements and keeping vital information from the public. Our Public Service Commission - the elected body that regulates our utilities - needs to demand transparency from these large load data centers; so far they have not. 
  5. Protecting our water, clean (and cool) air, and neighbors is critical to building a healthy, resilient community. We must ensure data centers don't harm people or ecosystems. ​ ​
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Recent updates

August 22. MEIC is tracking large data center proposals in Montana in this spreadsheet.
July 9. Missoula County has established a temporary pause on data centers -- learn more about what this means here. 
May 19, 2026 Data Center panel discussion
Many of the issues around data centers were addressed in this fantastic Missoula event held at the University of Montana. Watch via MEIC's YouTube channel. 
Thanks to Margo Stoney at High Mountain Creative for this graphic of our panel.

Current Data Center issues in Montana

Climate Smart Missoula is part of a cohort involved in various petitions to the Public Service Commission related to NorthWestern Energy.  We are working with the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC), NW Energy Coalition, and others - represented by Earth Justice - to demand transparency, fairness, a new "rate class" for these large load data centers, and more.  On June 15 the group filed a petition with the PSC to intervene in NWE's tariff proceeding for data centers. Here's the press release.  And a quote from our E.D., Amy:
“We are increasingly concerned that NorthWestern Energy prefers leaving Montanans in the dark while making deals with data centers. We have the right to know and participate in decisions that could dramatically affect our utility bills, and we know that affordable electricity is lifesaving. We need the PSC to protect customers and demand public transparency from NorthWestern.”
As we develop our data center response, our small staff relies on, in part, our friends at MEIC.  ​
Learn more:
Listen and learn more:
  • Building Local Power podcast (from the Institute for Local Self Reliance) has a new 2026 five part series on data centers. Head HERE and scroll down for all episodes or find it on your favorite podcast app.
Bonner Industrial Site, Missoula County regulations, & more
Update July 6, 2026: The Bonner Mill site owner has withdrawn support for this proposal, citing community input. This means the project will not move forward. 

We're tracking and involved in myriad conversations regarding the proposal by Krambu Inc. to bring a data center to the Bonner Industrial site.  We understand this brings up plenty of questions, deep concerns, and for some, opportunities.  What we know: 

This site is zoned Industrial Center, Heavy. A data center would be an allowed use on the property. However, Missoula County has additional zoning regulations that apply to data centers and cryptocurrency operations throughout the County. These regulations include:
  • All power for the operation must come from a new renewable energy source (meaning it has not been on the market yet). This provision is of utmost concern to Climate Smart Missoula, given our mission!
  • The operation must recycle all electronic waste
  • Because it is located within 500' of a residential area, the proposal must go through a special exception review to ensure impacts to nearby properties are addressed, including traffic, noise, lighting, landscaping, and screening and buffering

​This special exception review means that the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB) will make the determination (not our Board of County Commissioners).  

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. 

We note that as of June 12, the County Planning Dept. deemed Krambu's 5th application insufficient and their letter is worth reading. The hearing at the MCCLUB has not yet been rescheduled. 
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Bonner Industrial site aerial view
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Inside the planer building where the servers would be housed
Whether a data center will ultimately pass the county's high bar for zoning regulations and be permitted to come to Bonner is unclear. We're working to understand the nuances and tradeoffs.  Relative to other data centers, this proposed center is small(!) and would utilize an existing building within an industrial site that is in dire need of a new tenant.  Sentiment in the surrounding area runs the gamut - many opposed and some believing this could be an opportunity to secure a Community Benefits Agreement with Krambu that could be a model for others. Common Good Missoula is helping to lead efforts to ensure any data center would be accountable to providing positive benefits to the local community. ​

Should we talk about AI?

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The internet runs on data centers - but AI data centers are a whole different ball of wax, not only because their resource use is far greater, but also because of issues and concerns related to AI technology itself. 

We find AI incredibly difficult to wrap our arms around.  We are trying! 

AI certainly has the potential to contribute positively to addressing social problems, like in scientific and medical research, and even improving energy system efficiency. 

But it's also clear that it can cause harm. Much of the deployment of AI technology by "Big Tech" over the last several years has highlighted concerns around safety, data sovereignty and privacy, and control by (and benefits accruing to) a wealthy few. 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. Others want no part in AI and are pushing back against its integration into various parts of society and our lives. 

​To learn more we encourage you to: