To: Yellowstone County Commissioners
Commissioner Chris White
Commissioner Mark Morse
Commissioner Mike Waters

From: Residents of Yellowstone County, Montana

Addressed To:
Yellowstone County Commissioners
Room 419
2825 3rd Avenue North
Billings, MT 59101

Re: Petition for Transparency, Accountability, and Community Protection Regarding Data Center Development

Dear Commissioners White, Morse, and Waters,

We, the undersigned residents of Yellowstone County, Montana, respectfully submit the attached petition to formally request transparency, accountability, and protective action regarding proposed and existing data center development that may impact our community and Yellowstone County as a whole.

This petition reflects both grassroots concern and a good-faith request for lawful, informed governance. Data centers are industrial-scale facilities with long-term implications for electricity rates, water resources, wastewater management, public safety, environmental integrity, and local tax burdens. Residents have a right to understand these impacts fully before irreversible decisions are made.

We specifically request that the Yellowstone County Commissioners:

·         Provide clear, public answers to the questions raised in the attached petition;

·         Disclose any tax abatements, incentives, or public subsidies associated with data center development;

·         Ensure that no infrastructure, utility, emergency service, environmental remediation, or decommissioning costs are shifted to existing residents or future generations;

·         Actively protect community resources including land, rivers, streams, aquifers, livestock, wildlife, and quality of life;

·         Engage directly with residents of Yellowstone County in a public forum prior to approvals or commitments.

·         Commissioners send a letter to the Montana Public Service Commission requesting protection for existing ratepayers and future generations from any and all large load impacts. (copy of Butte -Silver Bow’s letter to the PSC enclosed)

 This petition is submitted with respect for your offices and with the expectation of transparency, accountability, and stewardship consistent with your duty to the public. We respectfully request a written and public response by the date listed below.

Sincerely,

Residents of Yellowstone County, Montana

PETITION FOR TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION REGARDING DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT

We, the undersigned residents, landowners, and stakeholders of our community, respectfully submit this petition to request full transparency, public accountability, and protective action from our County Commissioners and relevant authorities regarding proposed and existing data center developments within our region.

WHEREAS

Data centers are large-scale industrial facilities with significant demands on electricity, water, and infrastructure;
Such facilities may impact electricity rates, grid reliability, and long-term energy availability for existing residents and local businesses;
Data centers can consume substantial volumes of water, affect aquifers, rivers, streams, and other waterways, and generate wastewater containing chemicals used in cooling, cleaning, and maintenance processes;
Data centers may produce light emissions, air pollution, and continuous noise, impacting quality of life, livestock, and wildlife;
Data centers may involve fire hazards, including lithium-ion battery systems, backup generators, and specialized electrical equipment requiring advanced fire suppression, emergency response capabilities, and trained personnel;
Some data center developments receive tax abatements, exemptions, or reductions, which may shift financial burdens onto existing residents or future generations;
The true long-term costs of construction, infrastructure upgrades, emergency services, environmental remediation, and decommissioning are often not fully disclosed to the public;

THEREFORE, WE PETITION AND REQUEST THE FOLLOWING:

Full Transparency
Public disclosure of projected and actual electricity usage impacts on local and regional electricity rates, and grid upgrade requirements. A detailed plan of how reliability of the system will be protected.
Public disclosure of water usage volumes, water and aquifer sources, impacts on aquifers and surface waters, and long-term sustainability plans.
Public disclosure of wastewater outputs, including a list of chemicals used, treatment methods, and disposal plans.
Public disclosure of light emissions, air emissions, and noise levels, including modeling, monitoring plans, and mitigation measures.
Financial Accountability
Full disclosure of any tax abatements, reductions, exemptions, or incentives granted or proposed for data center developments.
Written assurances that no costs related to construction, infrastructure expansion, utilities, emergency services, environmental damage, or future remediation will be borne by existing residents or future generations.
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Detailed disclosure of fire hazards, battery systems, generators, and hazardous materials on site.
Identification of firefighting equipment, training, staffing, and funding required to safely respond to potential incidents.
Assurance that emergency response costs will be fully funded by the developer, not local taxpayers.
Environmental and Agricultural Protection
Strong protections for land, rivers, streams, aquifers, wetlands, and all waterways.
Safeguards for livestock, farmland, wildlife, and natural habitats.
Ongoing environmental monitoring and a comprehensive environmental analysis with results made publicly available.
Public Engagement and Accountability
A formal commitment by County Commissioners to answer questions directly from residents in public meetings.
Assurance that Yellowstone County Commissioners will send a letter to the Montana Public Service Commission requesting protection for existing ratepayers and future generations from any and all large load impacts.
Meaningful opportunities for public comment before approvals, permits, or incentives are granted.
A clear demonstration that Commissioners will fight to protect the community, its resources, and its long-term well-being.

CONCLUSION

We respectfully urge our elected officials to place the health, safety, environment, and financial security of our community above all other considerations. Development must not come at the expense of our land, water, livelihoods, or future generations.

By signing below, we affirm our support for transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of our community.

OFFICIAL RESPONSE REQUESTED BY

Requested Response Date: ___04/22/2026 or the 22nd, APRIL 2026_

Preferred Method of Response: ☐ Public Meeting ☐ Written Response X☐ Both