Study resolution on data centers

69th Legislature HJ 46.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 46
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 46
2 INTRODUCED BY T. MILLETT, G. KMETZ
3
4 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
5 MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF DATA CENTERS AND THEIR POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON
6 MONTANA'S ECONOMY AND ELECTRIC GENERATION, DISTRIBUTION, AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS;
7 AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH
8 LEGISLATURE.
9
10 WHEREAS, following the development of data centers throughout the West, national companies have
11 expressed their interest in constructing multiple data centers in Montana; and
12 WHEREAS, data centers have the potential to bolster economic development, create jobs, and
13 generate tax revenue for Montana; and
14 WHEREAS, data centers require significant amounts of energy to operate, which may strain the
15 reliability, safety, and capacity of Montana's electric generation, distribution, and transmission systems,
16 requiring significant capital investments; and
17 WHEREAS, two proposed data centers in Montana are estimated to consume as much as 400
18 megawatts of electricity by 2030, which amounts to enough electricity to power approximately 320,000
19 households for 1 year; and
20 WHEREAS, increased strain on Montana's electric grid may have negative effects on other
21 commercial, industrial, and residential customers of Montana's regulated utilities, including on affordability; and
22 WHEREAS, Montana policymakers should carefully balance the high-load requirements of data centers
23 with the needs of existing residential, commercial, and industrial electricity customers to ensure grid reliability.
24
25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
26 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
27 That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory
28 committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to:
69th Legislature HJ 46.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 46
1 (1) investigate the impacts of large electric loads on the adequacy, reliability, affordability, and
2 safety of Montana's energy supply resources and electric transmission and distribution systems;
3 (2) analyze the economic impact to existing commercial, industrial, and residential customers
4 caused by potential rate increases that may occur in order to fund incremental utility investments to serve data
5 centers, and analyze whether regulatory or statutory sideboards are therefore needed to protect ratepayers;
6 (3) examine the additional strain on the electric grid caused by the high energy consumption of
7 data centers and how load-serving entities can manage load and ensure the reliability of Montana's electric
8 grid;
9 (4) explore potential bonding requirements or other ways to mitigate the rate-based costs of any
10 stranded utility investments related to data centers in the event that a data center fails to materialize,
11 prematurely closes, or is abandoned;
12 (5) determine whether the public service commission should classify data centers as a distinct
13 customer class;
14 (6) identify the potential demand of data centers on Montana's ground and surface water
15 resources;
16 (7) research the impacts data centers may have on Montana's economy, job market, tax revenue,
17 and housing affordability; and
18 (8) study other topics relating to data centers or other high-load industrial facilities, as determined
19 by the committee.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be
21 presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
23 requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2026.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
25 comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 70th Legislature.
26 - END -