Yellowstone County residents push for a vote to pause data center projects

A data center fight grows louder

A proposed data center complex north of Billings has sparked a heated local debate. Yellowstone County residents packed a commission meeting to voice concerns. Many say the project could change their community for years. The debate has now reached far beyond the proposed development itself.

Residents are also questioning how much influence they have over major projects. Concerns include water use, electricity demand, and pressure on local resources. The Broadview proposal covers nearly eight square miles. That size has made the project especially important to people living nearby.

Residents want a countywide vote

Residents asked Yellowstone County commissioners to place a data center initiative on the November ballot. The proposal would require two-thirds voter approval before certain data center developments could move forward in Yellowstone County. The request came during a packed public meeting, but commissioners took no action.

The effort followed an earlier attempt to qualify the same initiative through citizen signatures. Organizers said they collected 14,980 signatures, short of the 16,560 required for review. A Yellowstone County judge upheld the county’s determination that the deadline for qualifying the measure had already passed.

Thousands of signatures backed the effort

The signature deadline became a major source of frustration for organizers. County election officials initially told them they had until Aug. 12. A change approved during the 2025 legislative session had moved the deadline earlier. The actual deadline was July 13.

Organizers said the conflicting information affected their campaign. They ultimately fell short of the required number of signatures. Tana Lee criticized the process during the commission meeting. She said citizens faced the consequences of confusion over the rules.

The Broadview project is massive

The proposed Broadview data center complex would cover nearly eight square miles. That makes its potential footprint significant for the surrounding area. Residents say a project of that scale could affect local services. They are looking closely at its possible long-term effects.

Large data centers require major amounts of electricity to operate. They can also require substantial water for cooling equipment. Those needs have become central to the Yellowstone County debate. Residents are asking how local systems would handle the added demand.

Water use is a key concern

Water has become one of the biggest concerns surrounding the proposal. Data centers can use water as part of their cooling systems. Residents worry that heavy demand could place pressure on local supplies. The issue matters especially in areas where water resources are closely managed.

Questions about water use are not limited to Montana. Communities across the country have raised similar concerns around new facilities. Residents often want clear estimates before projects receive approval. For Yellowstone County, those questions remain part of the larger dispute.

Electricity costs are also debated

Power demand is another major issue surrounding the proposed development. Data centers need large amounts of electricity to keep equipment running. Residents have questioned how that demand could affect local infrastructure. Some are also concerned about possible effects on electricity prices.

The concern centers on who would ultimately carry added costs. New facilities can require upgrades to power systems and other infrastructure. Those investments may become part of broader development discussions. Yellowstone County residents are seeking more information about the project’s potential impact.

Fun fact: U.S. data centers used about 176 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2023, equal to roughly 4.4% of total U.S. electricity use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

A tense commission meeting

The public meeting became increasingly tense as residents shared their concerns. Yellowstone County Commission Chair Mark Morse repeatedly sparred with speakers. Boos and applause could be heard during the discussion. The meeting showed how strongly people feel about the proposal.

One exchange involved commenter Sonia Davis and Morse. Davis objected to what she viewed as his tone toward speakers. Morse pointed to the three-minute speaking limit during the meeting. Other commenters also criticized the way the discussion was handled.

Residents defend their right to speak

Residents used the meeting to argue for a stronger public voice. Many said major development decisions should include meaningful community participation. Janice Ricci Roberts spoke about protecting that role for future generations, reflecting broader concerns about local democracy.

The failed ballot effort became part of that argument. Organizers wanted voters to consider an initiative requiring two-thirds approval for certain data center development. After that effort missed the 2026 ballot deadline, speakers continued pressing commissioners to consider other options, including interim zoning.

Another election path is suggested

Brian Miller, a lawyer and Democratic congressional candidate, raised another possible route. He said organizers could pursue the initiative for a special election next spring, but that effort would require significantly more signatures.

Daily Montanan reported that a special-election initiative would require signatures from 25% of registered voters rather than the 15 percent required for the earlier effort. Organizers would therefore need another substantial petition campaign before the question could reach voters.

Why data centers need resources

Data centers are built to house powerful computer equipment and digital systems. That equipment generates heat and needs constant cooling. Facilities therefore require reliable electricity and carefully managed cooling systems. Their resource needs can be much larger than those of ordinary buildings.

That demand is one reason communities study proposed projects closely. Local officials may examine utility capacity, water availability, roads, and other infrastructure. Residents may also ask about future costs and environmental effects. These questions can become important before construction begins.

Fun fact: The U.S. Department of Energy says data centers can use 10 to 50 times more energy per square foot than a typical commercial office building

Communities speak up at public meetings

Yellowstone County is not alone in facing a data center debate. Communities in several states have raised concerns about proposed facilities. Public meetings have sometimes drawn large crowds. Local officials are being asked to address questions about growth and infrastructure.

Similar disputes have emerged from Oklahoma to New Hampshire. Residents have questioned power demand, water use, and community input. Some communities have delayed meetings or explored different venues. The pattern shows how data centers can quickly become local political issues.

Other towns are pushing back

In Yukon, Oklahoma, residents launched a recall effort against Mayor Brian Pillmore during a data center dispute, and the petition was later certified. Janesville, Wisconsin, officials sought a larger venue after residents packed meetings. In Tonawanda, New York, hundreds attended a meeting as officials tabled further discussion of a proposed 300-megawatt project.

Festus, Missouri, approved a development agreement for a data center involving at least $6 billion in investment despite strong resident opposition. Nottingham, New Hampshire, also drew local opposition and statewide attention over a proposed facility, prompting officials to move a planning meeting to a larger venue.

Could Montana’s environmental challenges make data center growth an even bigger concern? See how wildfire smoke is shaping public health planning across the state.

The debate is far from over

The Yellowstone County dispute has moved beyond one proposed development. It now includes questions about elections, public participation, infrastructure, water, and electricity. Residents are still looking for ways to influence the process.

Commissioners have not taken action on the requested countywide moratorium. For communities across America, the debate offers a familiar question about growth. Large technology projects can bring investment while also creating new demands.

Curious how another community is responding to rapid data center growth? See what residents and officials in East Texas are facing.

Should residents have a bigger say before major data center projects move forward? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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