Missoula County commissioners voted Thursday to accept a comprehensive report on data‑center impacts, a step that could lead to another year‑long moratorium on new facilities. The decision matters to residents because the study found data centers can affect health, safety and the environment, including climate change, water quality, noise, thermal effects, land use, electronic waste, wildlife and light pollution.
Commissioner Dave Strohmaier emphasized continuity, saying, “There will be no gap. Either we have permanent zoning in place by the end of this moratorium period, or, in the more likely case and in a separate action from today, we’ll extend the moratorium.” The report, released by the county last month, supports the interim ban adopted earlier this year and outlines three categories of data centers from large to small.
Local advocates praised the move. Abby Huseth of Climate Smart Missoula noted the report offers “the most durable pathway to getting regulations on the books, which can protect our community for the long term.” Ben Catton of the Montana Environmental Information Center urged continued engagement with the Montana Public Service Commission, especially after its approval of a $15 billion merger between Northwestern Energy and Black Hills Corp., which he said could accelerate data‑center development.
County officials acknowledged state‑level constraints. Climate‑action program manager Svein Newman explained that the 2025 Right To Compute Act limits a local outright ban, stating, “We’ve been advised by the county’s legal council that the act likely makes an outright local ban untenable.” Nonetheless, the county may still use zoning tools to address noise, backup power, water use and site location, and it can enforce renewable‑energy standards that require new data centers and cryptocurrency operations to offset power with 100 percent newly created clean electricity.
What’s next: The Montana Legislature is set to convene in roughly two months, and lawmakers are expected to consider dozens of bills related to data‑center water impacts, local control and other issues. County officials and advocacy groups will be monitoring the legislative session closely, as the outcome could shape whether the moratorium is formally extended and what zoning measures are adopted.
Sources: missoulacurrent.com
