Speculation about whether a potential data center is being proposed for Polson – unclear at this time.
Chris Hartzell has suggestions on
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
“WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS?
Montana law requires that Northwestern Energy show that there is no long term impact to customers from new large load contracts. In September 2025, Northwestern Energy stated they would not adhere to this as well as not offer opportunity for public comment or input. Gianforte and Daines, among the other parties leading this effort, are staying out of it and letting it all slide, as they are the ones who invited the data centers in the first place. At the end of November, a group of non-profits filed a petition with the Montana Public Service Commission asking to create a separate business classification for data centers, ensuring any costs associated with them are billed only to them. In response, Northwestern Energy filed a legal motion to acquire a protective order in disclosing any information in these contracts. There can be no other reason other than fear that the details will show that Northwestern Energy could break laws and/or confirm significant impacts to utility customers as well as water impacts.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1) Swarm Gianforte and Daines about the subject. If they aren’t going to act in their constituents favor, let them know no more votes for them!
2) Contact the Montana Public Service Commission and have them hold Northwestern Energy accountable to law. Each region has an ELECTED Commissioner. Contact them and tell them to advocate on your behalf, or no more votes for them!
3) Contact the Attorney General’s office and have them look into any and all breaches of Montana law around anyone involved with data centers.
4) Contact Zinke’s office (DC 202-225-5628, Kalispell 406-317-0027) and Sheehy’s office (DC 202-224-2264, Kalispell 406-257-3398). Call BOTH offices of each representative as the person answering the phone may not forward your complaint depending on who it is on what day at what location.
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INFORMATION VERIFICATION
I do not know everything about this matter, nor do I have all the answers. The information in my write up is my personal summary that comes from about a dozen sources…”
