“We’re going to ultimately have to get to nuclear.” Brian Bird CEO and President of NorthWestern Energy

South Dakota’s move toward studying nuclear power in response to rising data center energy demand matters directly to Montana because the two states share regional power markets, infrastructure pressures, and the same utility provider in NorthWestern Energy.

As data centers tied to artificial intelligence and digital storage rapidly increase electricity needs, utility leaders warn that existing coal, gas, and renewable resources may not be enough to provide stable, round the clock power without driving up costs or risking reliability. NorthWestern Energy has already signaled that nuclear generation, particularly small modular reactors, may be unavoidable to meet future demand. For Montana customers, this discussion is not abstract. Decisions made now will influence long term electric rates, grid reliability during extreme weather, and whether Montana households and small businesses end up subsidizing the massive power needs of new industrial users.

The implications also extend to Montana’s economy and technology sector. Reliable base load power is increasingly a prerequisite for attracting data centers, advanced manufacturing, and research driven industries, all of which are often promoted as tools for rural economic diversification.

Nuclear energy development could create high skill jobs, demand for engineering and technical education, and new partnerships with Montana colleges and universities focused on energy systems, materials science, and grid management. At the same time, the costs and regulatory complexity of nuclear power raise concerns for citizens who fear higher utility bills and long term waste storage challenges.

As NorthWestern Energy evaluates nuclear options with a potential construction timeline later this decade, Montanans face a pivotal question about how to balance economic growth, technological competitiveness, and affordable electricity in an era of rapidly rising energy demand.

South Dakota inches toward studying nuclear power as data center energy demands loom