Montana’s registered voters largely oppose the establishment of data centers in their communities, according to a recent Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton poll conducted between Aug. 27 and Sept. 7. The survey indicates that Democrats are more strongly opposed compared to independents and Republicans, yet opposition cuts across party lines with a significant majority against the data center projects.
This sentiment aligns with concerns from various communities, as developers target Montana for new AI data centers. NorthWestern Energy, Montana’s primary energy provider, has entered agreements to supply power to these proposed facilities, a decision that has faced backlash from current customers and scrutiny from Montana’s Public Service Commission.
In recent months, grassroots petitions have emerged in Butte-Silver Bow and Yellowstone counties, aiming to limit data center growth. A proposed moratorium on data center development for the Yellowstone County ballot was hindered by county commission obstacles.
Data centers are also becoming a pivotal issue in the upcoming general election. The poll revealed that 48% of voters consider data centers critical to their voting decisions, with 28% marking it as somewhat important.
The Montana Environmental Information Center has been actively monitoring data center proposals statewide and organizing community forums in numerous cities including Butte and Missoula. Executive Director Anne Hedges noted that while people understand AI’s potential benefits, they worry about the local advantages of hosting data centers. “The benefits flow to the tech bros,” Hedges remarked.
According to the poll, opinions are split on economic benefits, with 45% acknowledging job creation and economic gains, while 49% disagree. Without proper regulations, everyday Montanans might end up subsidizing these centers through higher energy costs, a scenario already seen in other states.
An overwhelming 92% of registered voters believe the state should regulate data centers to mitigate their impact on electricity rates. Lawmakers are already preparing legislation for the 2027 session to address these concerns, focusing on regulating utilities to protect residential and small business consumers from the financial burden of data center energy demands.
This Montana Insights Poll was conducted with registered Montana voters invited via text message to participate online from Aug. 27 to Sept. 7, 2026. It utilized a probability-based method for participant selection, ensuring a representative sample. The margin of error is +/- 4.2%. Detailed methodology can be reviewed here.
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