Montana Data Center News

Jun 3, 2026

PJM Monitor: AI Data Center Growth Reshaping Power Markets

PJM Interconnection’s independent market monitor has released a report arguing that large-scale data center expansion—especially AI-related demand growth—has become the primary driver of recent capacity market stress in PJM.

Main announcement: The monitor reports that data center load growth has added more than $23 billion to PJM capacity market costs since 2025 and is the primary reason for recent tight supply-demand balances and high auction prices; reported auction shortfalls widened from 208.7 MW (2026/2027 BRA) to more than 6.5 GW (2027/2028 BRA), and PJM serves 67 million people across 13 states and Washington, D.C. The report proposes a “bring your own new generation” (BYONG) model in which large data centers secure dedicated generation via bilateral contracts or reliability mechanisms before interconnection.
Background and other details: The filing context includes a December FERC complaint by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and PJM filings in February acknowledging that prior planning (the 2022 Quadrennial Review) did not model rapid data center load increases. The complaint cites >3,300 projects in the interconnection queue, and the monitor warns that failing to secure dedicated generation could lead to curtailment and that direct bilateral deals bypassing PJM markets could create extreme price impacts and reliability risks.

Jun 1, 2026 · Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Targeted Pressure: How Chinese Manufacturing Competition Impacts US States

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has published a report finding Chinese industrial policy is reshaping global manufacturing and harming industries across every U.S. state.

Main finding & method: The ITIF report (June 1, 2026) analyzes one “national power industry” per state using County Business Patterns employment data, HS/SITC export proxies, and global market-share series to conclude that state-backed Chinese subsidies, export pushes, and overcapacity are driving down prices and pressuring U.S. producers in sectors such as semiconductors, batteries, aircraft, and fabricated metals.
Key facts, numbers, and timelines:China plans ~$150 billion in semiconductor investment through 2030 vs. $52 billion under the U.S. CHIPS funding; the report cites $63.3 billion Chinese semiconductor spending in H1 2025, TSMC’s $165 billion U.S. investment announcement, GE Appliances’ $490 million Appliance Park investment (2025), and state/national export shares and HS-code trade series used throughout the analyses.

May 20, 2026

Climate Change Solutions - May 19, 2026

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) published its “Climate Change Solutions” newsletter summarizing recent policy updates, events, and briefings.

Main announcements: EESI highlights the release of text for the BUILD America 250 Act by Rep. Sam Graves and Rep. Rick Larsen to reinvest in roadways, public transportation, freight rail, and bridges; the newsletter also reports that the President signed S.1020 (P.L.119-90) extending hydropower construction deadlines. Names and bill identifiers: Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), S.1020 / P.L.119-90.
Background and related actions: The newsletter summarizes congressional activity including H.R.1346 (Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025) on E15 biofuel sales, advancement of the SECURE Grid Act (H.R.7257), and the IOOS Reauthorization Act (S.2126 / H.R.2294); it also promotes EXPO 2026 (June 24, Rayburn House Office Building 2168, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., online option) and references EESI briefings and media coverage on data center water use and noise pollution.

May 19, 2026

Three Rural Providers Band Together To Build 2,000-Mile Fiber Route

Dakota Carrier Network, Range and WIN Technology announced a joint $700 million investment to build the Heartland Fiber Project expanding high-capacity fiber across the American heartland.

Main announcement: The three providers committed $700 million to deploy the Heartland Fiber Project across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois; construction begins this summer with deployment expected over the next one to two years and the network will include high-fiber-count infrastructure and additional conduit capacity to scale bandwidth for AI hyperscale data center demand.
Background and details: The project targets markets offering available power, land and lower cooling costs to attract hyperscalers; CEOs Rob Johnstone (Range) and Seth Arndorfer (Dakota Carrier Network) framed the deal as improving scale/resiliency and competitiveness for hyperscaler investment. The article also references Zayo’s recent acquisition of Crown Castle fiber assets as sector context.

Mar 24, 2026

The Northwest Hasn’t Learned the Lessons of WPPSS (“Whoops”)

Laura Feinstein (Sightline Institute) argues that leaders should avoid building new gas-fired power plants in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and instead prioritize data center flexibility, demand response, energy efficiency, and transmission expansion to address near-term resource adequacy concerns.

Main action and evidence: The piece urges policymakers and regulators to require utilities and large electricity users to exhaust large-load flexibility and demand-side measures before approving fossil fuel infrastructure; cites a September 2025 E3 Phase 1 analysis that reported an 8.7 GW shortfall by 2030 (commonly rounded to 9 GW), which shrinks to roughly 5.6 GW when already planned resources (e.g., Carriger solar, PacifiCorp conversions) are counted. The article highlights alternatives with concrete figures: a Duke University estimate that 3.8 GW could be gained if data centers reduced power about one week per year, and a Sylvan Energy Analytics review showing data-center curtailment can eliminate the gap in multiple scenarios.
Background and concrete details: The article documents utilities’ recent actions and legislative context: PSE has contracted for six new gas turbines (filing redacted), Grant PUD approved a (temporary) 12 MW natural gas plant, PSE’s voluntary demand response currently reduces <2% of peak demand and Washington law requires ramping to 10% savings starting 2027; it notes the U.S. Department of Energy used the E3 report to justify keeping a coal plant online past Dec 31, 2025. The author characterizes the piece as an opinion/analysis urging precaution and policy alternatives rather than announcing a new transaction or partnership.

Mar 18, 2026

Why Alberta is right to seek stronger electricity interties with its neighbours

The Government of Alberta (Minister Nathan Neudorf) is publicly pushing to expand and restore electricity interties with British Columbia and Montana, including adding at least one new intertie and strengthening existing ones.

Main announcement: Minister Nathan Neudorf said Alberta aims to add two more interties or strengthen existing ones (currently three) to raise import/export capability; restoring the Alberta-B.C.-Montana intertie to full capacity and building an additional intertie could raise Alberta’s interconnectivity toward ~10% (from current ~3%) and is explicitly framed as a provincial policy push to enable more low-cost electricity trade. Key figures: Alberta installed capacity 23,300 MW, current effective import ~650 MW, AESO contingency procurement ~500 MW, and the intertie physical import limit ~950 MW (operating at 40–60% of that physical ability).
Background and project details: Pembina cites studies and cost estimates: a new intertie could cost more than $2 billion and approach $3 billion depending on route/design; AESO estimates $150 million to restore the existing line; $1.5–2.7 billion to procure 750–1,500 MW of batteries for frequency response; combined investment $4.6–5.8 billion with projected annual system cost savings of $200 million at 1,500 MW interconnection. Also cited: GDP impact estimates (restoration → $870M increase for Alberta, $183M for B.C.; additional intertie → $1.2B and $574M respectively) and construction job estimates 4,850–5,250 over five years.

Mar 17, 2026

Cryptocurrency Industry Accelerates Transition To Renewable Energy Sources

The cryptocurrency industry is actively shifting away from fossil fuels and embracing renewable energy sources.

Main announcement/action: The article reports that the cryptocurrency industry is transitioning infrastructure and operations to renewable energy, with server farms and mining operations relocating to regions with abundant green power such as Iceland, Norway, and parts of the United States; it cites 52.4% of global Bitcoin mining energy from renewables in 2025 and an industry projection of 70% renewables by 2030.
Background and details: The piece notes software and operational changes including the wider adoption of Proof-of-Stake protocols, reference to a Cambridge study showing reduced emission intensity and improved hardware efficiency by mid-2024, and miners participating in grid demand response programs to stabilize local networks.

Mar 13, 2026

Landowners and Locals are Fighting AI Expansion of High-Voltage Power Lines

PPL has announced plans to build a 500-kilovolt transmission line (the 12-mile “Sugarloaf” project) that could cross John Zola’s 40-acre property in eastern Pennsylvania.

Project details and local action: The 12-mile Sugarloaf project would reuse and expand an existing corridor, involve 240-foot metal towers and require a wide corridor (up to 200-foot-wide in some projects); PPL serves more than 1.5 million customers, projects peak electricity demand to more than triple by 2030, has offered landowners cash payments (offers reported rising from $17,000 to $85,000 for one owner) and may pursue eminent domain if landowners refuse.
Background and national context: The article places the Sugarloaf dispute in a broader national trend driven by AI-era data center demand: a $1.7 billion proposed Pennsylvania-spanning line, a $22 billion Midwest transmission package under dispute, and utilities forecasting transmission spending to nearly $50 billion a year by 2028; opponents include landowners, conservationists, state regulators and regional stakeholders.

Feb 24, 2026

These data center developers asked Trump for an exemption from pollution rules

Novva and Thunderhead Energy Solutions requested presidential Clean Air Act exemptions from the EPA under the Trump administration to allow increased generator use at data centers.

Main announcement: Novva sought a two-year exemption to run 96 diesel generators without limits while finishing a 200 MW natural gas plant (the plant was earlier described as taking until 2027 to be built, though the article also says the gas plant is “expected to be operational in the coming months”). Thunderhead requested exemptions for 11 data centers consuming a combined 23 GW across Texas, Montana, and Illinois and proposed (in filings) a 5,000-MW gas plant in Winkler County, while publicly announcing a 250-MW plant in Ector County.
Background and process details: Companies submitted requests to a special EPA presidential-exemption inbox created under the Trump administration, arguing two required criteria: technology to comply is not available and operations are in the national security interest. An Environmental Defense Fund analysis of obtained records found that of more than 500 exemption requests it reviewed, roughly a third were granted; the EPA said it “played no role” and directed questions to the White House.

Jan 26, 2026

EPA moves toward changing particulate matter standard as manufacturers urge action

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving to revisit and ask the court to vacate the Biden-era annual PM2.5 standard of nine micrograms per cubic meter.

Main action: The EPA filed a motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit asking the court to vacate the March 2024 PM2.5 annual standard (lowered from 12 µg/m3 to 9 µg/m3). The agency said the Biden EPA took a “regulatory shortcut” and failed to adequately consider compliance costs; EPA urged vacatur before the initial nonattainment determinations due on Feb. 7 and states’ implementation plans due in April.
Background and details: Industry groups including NAM and 15 trade associations (e.g., SMA, Aluminum Association, American Cement Association) have pressed the Trump administration to revert the standard; EPA previously estimated the 2024 rule could prevent 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays, with monetized benefits of $22 billion to $46 billion and $590 million in estimated costs by 2032. A 2025 ACA report estimated 1 million metric tons of cement needed for AI data centers by 2028 and projects U.S. data centers rising from 5,426 to 6,000 by 2027.

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