Governor Greg Gianforte told reporters Wednesday that Montana has signed onto the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST‑41) program. The agreement, the eleventh state to join, is designed to move permitting steps for qualifying infrastructure projects from a sequential to a parallel process, cutting review times that can stretch beyond a decade.
What FAST‑41 means for Montana
Gianforte explained that the program will keep all existing environmental and safety requirements but allow agencies to work on permits simultaneously. “It reduces cost, speeds up projects, and guarantees transparency and public input,” he said. The governor emphasized that state oversight will remain intact and that the program targets federal‑level projects such as public electric transmission lines, pipelines, roads and bridges.
Local concerns over the Broadview data center
Opponents of the proposed Quantica Big Sky Digital campus near Broadview argue that FAST‑41 could fast‑track a data center they view as a threat to water resources and land use. Yellowstone County Voices attorney Brian Miller warned, “I’m concerned they are going to try to get the feds involved in our business to make this data center go.” Miller, who is also running for a House seat against Congressman Troy Downing, stressed that state sovereignty should decide how land and water are used.
Congressman Downing, a supporter of FAST‑41, issued a written statement saying the program does not give Washington new authority to override state laws or local permitting requirements. “Decisions affecting Montana communities should remain with Montanans,” he wrote, adding that local concerns must still be heard.
Public reaction
Local resident Cari Olson, another vocal opponent, said the fast‑track could become “red tape after red tape” that sidelines community input. “I’m not going away,” Olson told reporters, underscoring the persistence of grassroots opposition.
State agency perspective
Madison McGeffers, public information officer for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), said FAST‑41 primarily improves coordination between federal and state agencies. “While coordinating with federal partners, DEQ follows existing processes and timelines set by state laws,” McGeffers wrote. She noted that the biggest impact would be greater transparency in the project review process.
Economic implications
Quantica has indicated the data center will require more than 1,700 megawatts of power, a substantial demand that could bring jobs and tax revenue to the region. Supporters argue that a streamlined permitting path is essential for keeping Montana competitive in the growing digital economy.
What’s next?
The FAST‑41 program will now be applied to qualifying projects across the state, with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council overseeing implementation. As the process unfolds, both state officials and local stakeholders say they will monitor how the new timeline affects projects like the Broadview data center, ensuring that state sovereignty and public input remain central to any decision.
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
