Butte-Silver Bow voters won't see a data center question on their ballots this fall. The local group 406 People First collected enough verified signatures to put one there, but a court ruling tied to new state filing deadlines kept it off the general election ballot. That fight is now on appeal at the Montana Supreme Court.

In the meantime, local leaders have a way to act. In September, the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners asked County Attorney Matt Enrooth to write a temporary moratorium. It would pause new data center building, expansions and approvals while the county works out permanent zoning rules. The zoning updates the council is about to review only cover design standards for data centers, the same as for any other building.

The draft warns that very large "hyperscale" data centers may use heavy amounts of power and water and could seriously affect the areas around them. Once approved, the pause would last six months. Commissioners could then extend it twice, one year at a time, for two and a half years at most.

But the council's Judiciary Committee put the moratorium on hold while the court appeal plays out. It is set to come back up at the committee's Oct. 14 meeting.

A pause gives Butte time to define what counts as "hyperscale," hear from the public, and make sure needed projects, like a hospital expansion, don't get caught in the ban.

Commissioner Michele Shea and the Judiciary Committee should move the moratorium forward on Oct. 14, and the full Council of Commissioners should approve it.

Sign the petition to tell Butte-Silver Bow leaders to pass the data center moratorium now, while there is still time to set the rules.