Data Centers Hot Topic For Montana Utility Merger

It's only been 3-days, but it's already clear that the question of how to power data centers is becoming the overarching issue as the Montana Public Service Commission considers that massive merger between Northwestern Energy and Black Hills Corporation.

The PSC is conducting the hearing in Helena this week, which could likely mean the $15.4 billion deal announced last year will be able to proceed. The plan is already seeing approval in other states.

But the timing of this hearing, coming in a spring where debate is starting to roll over powering data centers, means the testimony is split between positions of economic growth and reliable, future power on one side, and climate and cost impacts on the opposite side.

Northwestern CEO Brian Bird is testifying that while data centers are a part of the discussion about the merger, they aren't the sole driver.

"A lot of reasons to do this merger," Bird testified. "And as I mentioned, our plans did not include data centers in it. At the time we talked about it, are we talking about it today on calls? Absolutely."

"We both want to do data centers, and we both agree it would be easier for us to do a combined one on a standalone basis, but we were doing data centers without this merger."

However, public speakers, like Beth Taylor Wilson of Missoula, aren't buying that argument.

"What does this have to do with data centers?", Wilson asked.  "Everything. We're proposing to inflict upon people these data centers that will be powered by the dirty coal from the Colstrip until 2042, the last remaining U.S. utility expanding coal."

None of this is even being addressed. It's all about reliability and prosperity and more growth. What is going to matter? If we don't have clean water and clean air for our children to breathe and to drink."

The hearing continues on Friday. and you can follow along with the live stream on the PSC's live stream on YouTube, except in cases where there is "protected" company information being discussed. There are also opportunities for online public testimony.

Watching the data center debate in Utah

Utah continues to make regional headlines with the approval of one of the largest proposed data centers in the U.S., covering 40,000 acres, or about 62 square miles if it's eventually built out in rural Box Elder County in the northern part of the state.

The most actively debated proposals right now in Montana are the proposal by Krambu at the former Bonner Mill. Missoula County is reviewing a third "Special Exception" application. The project has faced significant community pushback regarding potential noise pollution and thermal impacts on the Blackfoot River. Public hearings are expected in late May or June 2026.

The Big Sky Campus in Yellowstone County is currently the largest proposal in the state. The massive 5,000-acre campus would be located about 30 miles north of Billings. Quantica Infrastructure, via Big Sky Digital Infrastructure, would like to have Phase 1 construction underway later this year, with power ramping up starting in 2028. And that's a lot of power. Estimates are as high as 1000 megawatts, or 1 gigawatt, which is nearly equal to the entire average daily load of all of Northwestern's Montana customers.

Storm damage limits public access to Montana landmark

One of Northwest Montana’s most popular scenic destinations will look very different for visitors this summer.

The U.S. Forest Service - Kootenai National Forest says the Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area near Troy remains under significant travel restrictions following major flooding and wind storms last December.

READ MORE: Libby Area Sees Millions in Storm Damage

According to the Kootenai National Forest, National Forest System Road 398 is severely compromised and unstable. As a result, the road is closed to all motorized vehicles until emergency repairs can be made.

While the road and the ancient cedar groves remain open to hikers and cyclists, visitors should be prepared for a "pack-it-in, pack-it-out" experience. The Forest Service warns that restrooms and garbage services are currently unavailable.

Crews have cleared the Nature Loop trail, but officials are urging the public to watch for hazardous trees and shifting road edges.

     Engineers are currently developing a long-term repair plan, but for now, the 2026 season will be a quiet one at the Cedars.

MHP takes to the air

The Montana Highway Patrol is officially changing how it handles major crash scenes across the state, including the busy corridors across Montana. This week, the agency announced a full-scale integration of drone technology for crash site measurements. MHP officials state that the move is designed to get troopers out of the flow of traffic more quickly and improve data accuracy. As reported by NonStop Local, investigators previously had to manually walk through sites to gather measurements—a process that was both time-consuming and dangerous. MHP leadership noted the change will result in "safer and faster" investigations, allowing roads to reopen to the public much sooner following a major incident.

Usually, crash scene investigation can add hours to the work troopers have to do at a fatal accident, extending road closures for safety.

     🚔 Montana is joining other states like Minnesota, which have been using drones not only for accident scene investigation, but even for speed enforcement.