News that TAC Data Centers released its option to lease land in Great Falls drew some support from conservation advocates, but progress on other data centers in the state elicited recent praise as well — for different reasons.

Data center projects are popping up in Montana. Supporters see them as a tool for economic development, but detractors fear they’ll increase bills for residential power customers and will be a drain on water resources.

In an announcement on Friday, Upper Missouri Waterkeeper said TAC Data Centers had pulled out of its option to lease 569 acres in Great Falls, citing the Great Falls Development Alliance.

In a statement, Guy Alsentzer, executive director of the Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, said many of Montana’s river basins are already facing shortages and can’t aff

See Full Page