Advocates push for data-center siting rules and public participation

Speakers argued that Missoula's zoning and conditional-use process provides a useful model but that most Montana counties lack similar protections.

"Tom France has a bill, good idea, to have a siting process for data centers, which is public participation," Anne Hedges said, calling for siting standards, transparency of energy and water use, and aesthetic and noise mitigation requirements.

Hedges and Kanerys urged counties and cities to adopt explicit zoning language for data centers and conditional-use permits in advance of proposals, and to consider requirements on operating hours, landscaping, building materials and technology to minimize water and noise impacts.