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Montana Messaging for Organizers
June 9, 2026
The Reilly for Montana team will continue to provide messaging every Tuesday through election season.
Top Question on the Ground: How do we stop data centers in Montana?
Answer: We can no longer accept the status quo. Stopping billionaire investment right now will halt data centers before they permanently reshape our state. The people have this power.
The first step is a statewide moratorium on data center development. Communities must understand the impacts on water, electricity, agriculture, public infrastructure, and local economies before irreversible decisions are made. (Links to immediate action below.)
Montana will create a model that protects local control, requires full transparency, and puts communities ahead of billion-dollar corporations. Our land, water, and way of life should not be centered around the needs of AI companies.
Montana has a history of standing up to concentrated wealth and political power. The answer is to organize. Montana has always been strongest when ordinary people work together and stand together.
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COMMUNITY TALKING POINTS
1. Data Centers Are the Next Corporate Land Grab
Montana's land, water, and energy infrastructure are more than resources for data center development. Politicians will not stop this on their own. The same interests spending millions to influence elections are also advocating for policies that make these projects easier to approve.
This is not a future threat. Projects are moving through review processes in Broadview, Richland County, Bonner, Butte, Yellowstone County, and other Montana communities as developers seek access to Montana's land, water, and energy resources.
The only response is a statewide moratorium on new data center development. No new permits, no special deals, and no expedited approvals until independent studies fully assess impacts on water supplies, electrical demand, utility rates, ag, emergency services, and long-term economic development.
Montana will not reorganize its land, water, grid, and economy around the needs of AI corporations before the public understands the consequences.
2. Dark Money Has No Place In Montana Politics.
Montanans deserve to know who is spending what to influence elections, public policy, and development decisions. When dark money groups are connected to interests that could profit from major development projects, the public deserves thorough reporting and complete transparency.
Our media plays an important role in protecting the public interest. Reporters and editors have to ask hard questions about who is funding political campaigns, advocacy organizations, and development proposals, which candidates benefit and why. Transparency is not optional when decisions affect Montana's land, water, economy, and future.
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CALLS TO ACTION
1. Demand Statewide Moratorium on Data Centers
Contact city councils, county commissioners, state legislators, members of Congress, and state agencies. Tell them clearly: "We support a statewide moratorium on new data center development until the full impacts on Montana communities and resources are understood."
2. Build Local Power
Citizens must attend hearings, contact elected officials, demand transparency, and insist that decisions affecting Montana's future are made in the open when it comes to data center development.
Upcoming Action:
• Richland County (NYDIG Davidsen Atlas Data Center): DEQ public comment period ends June 15, 2026.
• Broadview Data Center Public Meeting, June 18, 2026 at 6 p.m.
• Bonner Data Center - Missoula Land Use Board Public Hearing has been postponed. More information about the Krambu Project.
• The Governor's Energy Task Force meets July 8 at 9 a.m. at the Montana Department of Commerce and Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. in the Governor's Reception Room in Helena.
Talk to neighbors. Attend local meetings. Volunteer. Organize. Support leaders who put Montana communities ahead of billionaire interests. The Montana people stood up to the Copper Kings. We can stand up to the Tech Kings. Build local networks. Show up consistently.
3. Support Local Candidates
Congratulations to everyone who won their primary elections and who are on the trail to the Montana House and Senate. Find out who represents your community and who's on the ballot in November. Change happens when people get involved before decisions are made.
The future of Montana will be decided by the people willing to show up, organize, and fight for it.
4. Call your Representatives and Demand Accountability
Contact your U.S. Senators, member of Congress, and Governor and tell them that the people who live here, work here, raise families here, and build communities here should determine Montana's future. Leave your name. Ask for a clear response. Follow up.
Key Contacts
Governor of Montana
Governor Greg Gianforte — (406) 444-3111 (Helena)
U.S. Senate (Montana)
Senator Steve Daines — Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 224-2651
Senator Tim Sheehy — Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 224-2644
U.S. House of Representatives (Montana)
Representative Ryan Zinke (MT-01) — Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 225-5628
Representative Troy Downing (MT-02) — Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 225-3211
Sample Call/Email Script
“Hello, my name is [NAME], and I’m calling from [TOWN]. I’m asking [NAME] for a statewide moratorium on data centers until communities have the information and authority they need to make informed decisions in Montana.”
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About Reilly Neill - Reilly is a Montana businesswoman, former state legislator, and recent U.S. Senate candidate. Neill has spent decades working in Montana communities through journalism, public service, and local advocacy.
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