by Tom Tunny, Hamilton
Did we know about this?
We have been hearing a lot recently about DATA CENTERS trying to sprout up in different parts of our State. Montana, it seems, is prime territory for these Data Centers due to our “currently” abundant water and electricity supply. There is now a little known collaboration in the works that would tie Montana’s Northwest Energy Corporation to a multi-state conglomerate that extends as far as Little Rock, Arkansas. Black Hills Energy is the leading advocate for this group that includes Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Arkansas. This would be the largest utility transaction in Montana’s history. Black Hills is seeking to partner with NorthWestern Energy. On August 5, Black Hills told investors that its $15.4 billion deal is on track to close pending “approval from Montana as the final hold-out!”
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has already approved this merger. The Montana Public Service Commission is the only “decider” that has to determine whether the deal is in our public interest, that it won’t harm customers, and that it produces a net benefit (to whom?).
The Public Service Commission for Montana, under the leadership of CEO Brian Bird, has the final say in this proposed monolithic organization and appears to be the last holdout. At the Black Hills Corporation-Northwest Energy Merger “Conference Call” on August 19, 2025 Brian Bird, CEO of PSC, had this to say…Yes! We have been impressed with what Black Hills has accomplished from a Data Center perspective. We have opportunities in Montana, and we both have opportunities in South Dakota. So it just made sense as we looked at that, combining our two teams to take better opportunities. As you might expect, two smaller companies may not have the same resources to compete as one larger one.”
If you would like the Public Service Commission to know your stance on Data Centers in Montana, call them at 406-444-6199 or go to psc@mt.gov and Reddi portal/guest users…docket #2025.10.078
Reminder: the school year has started again here in Ravalli County. Please be careful to watch for our “walkers” and “riders.”
See you at the FAIR!
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