r/Butte

During the last several months, NorthWestern Energy has vehemently denied that data centers are behind its desire to “merge” with another South Dakota utility, Black Hills Energy. However, when company executives announced the deal to investors, they repeatedly pointed to data centers as a top reason for the two utilities’ efforts. 

NorthWestern is currently asking the Montana Public Service Commission to approve the so-called “merger” without considering any information regarding the 14 proposed data center projects that NorthWestern mentioned on an investor call earlier this year, and NorthWestern has refused to answer any questions in the PSC proceeding regarding data centers.

NorthWestern’s desire to keep this information secret from the PSC and its customers should raise red flags for all Montanans. If we aren’t careful, we are going to get burned – as has happened to millions of utility customers across the country when data centers come to town. 

https://dailymontanan.com/2026/05/06/northwesterns-mega-monopoly-merger-is-all-about-data-centers/

If you haven't done so already, please consider signing the non-partisan petition for The Montana Plan. Here's why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp45tYvSZNo And here's how: https://sign.mttei.org/ And some background on the effort: https://dailymontanan.com/2026/03/11/montana-plan-to-prohibit-corporate-spending-in-politics-green-lit-for-signature-gathering/