Montana doesn’t need more data centers. Period. Our state built its economy on clean water, public lands, agriculture, local businesses, and responsible resource development.
If more data centers come to Montana, they need to pay the full cost of the infrastructure they require. They must not drive up electric rates for existing customers or make a call on our water.
At a minimum, a three-year moratorium on data centers statewide would allow elected officials to assess the issue. Like proposals for centers across the state, the potential Thunderhead power plant and data center in Jefferson County raises serious concerns about what this new industry will demand from the community.
Large-scale data centers require massive amounts of electricity and water to cool servers and maintain constant operations. Without fair compensation and careful planning, this industry has the potential to displace both communities and productive agricultural land.
When outside corporations profit from extracting our resources, Montana deserves lasting public and economic benefits. In 1975, Montana adopted a major coal severance tax. The Montana Constitution requires that at least 50% of coal severance tax revenue be dedicated to a permanent trust fund.
Data centers should meet this standard first.
Proposed centers across the state are already requesting massive amounts of electricity and raising concerns about the water consumption required to cool server facilities.
Montana may be well positioned on the electrical grid for potential development but our water resources are already allocated and scarce. The amount of water needed to cool more data centers planned across Montana will bankrupt our wells.
Mining, timber, energy, and water projects shaped Montana’s history. We’ve learned hard lessons from past resource development, so we demand reclamation laws, fair taxation, and environmental protections. We understand what happens when corporations extract value and leave the public with wasted resources and devastated economies.
Counties and rural electric cooperatives will live with the consequences of data center development long after developers leave. Montana already knows how to balance economic development with resource protection. Our laws and traditions reflect a clear expectation.
Development must benefit Montana first. Montanans welcome responsible investment. We don’t welcome projects that shift costs onto farmers, ranchers, and working families.
Reilly Neil is running as a Democrat for the Montana U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Steve Daines.
