Montanans for Affordable Energy

07/27/2026

An op-ed worth reading! Karen Kirk, who serves on the board of directors for Montanans for Affordable Energy, makes a powerful argument for solar energy in the Billings Gazette!

05/07/2026

"Reality distortion makes great Science Fiction but is terrible for our health and economy."

The EPA recently announced it will stop accounting for the economic and health benefits to the public, instead it will only consider the economic costs to industry when setting standards for our air quality.

Dr. Robert Merchant, pulmonologist and Montanans for Affordable Energy (MAE) steering committee member, explains what's really behind the dismantling of our science-based air protections.

“These aren’t the droids you are looking for.” Obi-Wan Kenobi’s words distort the reality the Imperial Stormtrooper is seeing, causing him to overlook R2-D2 and C-3PO and allow them to escape. Reality distortion makes great Science Fiction but is terrible for our health and economy. With its...

03/27/2026

Paying a company $1 Billion to NOT produce cheaper, cleaner energy?? The logic is truly upside down. This is a lose-lose for everyday people.

Utility Action Alliance

03/16/2026

Is a secretive data center agreements coming to a town near you? Karin Kirk reveals how redacted agreements are shaping communities in Montana and across the U.S.

Karin is a Yale Climate Connections contributor and MAE steering committee member.

Yale Climate Connections contributor Karin Kirk reveals how redacted agreements are shaping communities in Montana and across the U.S.Read more: https://yale...

03/12/2026

The surge of new data center development is making people worried. How much energy and water will these resource-hungry centers consume? Will they drive new fossil fuel pollution? How much will household electricity prices go up?

These questions have answers, but in many cases, the details of new data centers are blocked from public view.

Karin Kirk, geologist, science journalist, and steering committee member of Montanans for Affordable Energy, takes a look at Montana's secret data center agreements in a new Yale Climate Connections article. Read it here: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/03/is-your-data-center-getting-a-big-discount-on-electricity-thats-redacted/

03/09/2026

Montana has wind energy potential of 600,000+ megawatts, but we’re currently only harnessing about 2,146 megawatts.

That's not just untapped energy generation, it's an opportunity to provide thousands of high-paying jobs and economic growth in Montana.

Bradley Wyss, Wind Electrical Technician and steering committee member of Montanans for Affordable Energy, shares how renewable energy gave him a career path and why Montana energy policy should embrace renewable energy.

🔗 Continue reading this editorial in papers across Montana or on our website here: https://mtaffordableenergy.org/opinion-montanans-could-have-more-renewable-energy-jobs/

02/23/2026

Data centers shouldn't get hefty discounts while families struggle to pay their bills.

“Rules should require that data centers pay their fair share so we don’t get stuck with the bill. But here’s the problem. So far in the U.S., those things are not happening. Many people are paying more for their electricity use while data centers score big discounts. The rules are failing to protect everyday people.”

Karin Kirk argues that Montana needs transparency, not secret deals. We need the Public Service Commission to make the public their top priority. And we need everyone to fight for everyday people.

Data centers are a hot topic. They’re drawing large amounts of electricity from the stressed grid, and their thirst for ever-more power is daunting.

02/18/2026

Have you opened your electric bill recently and wondered why it's so high when you're not using more energy?

Turns out, there’s a reason. A recent analysis from Yale Climate Connections found that households have had the smallest growth in electricity use of any sector, yet they are getting hit with the highest price increases.

At the same time, rates for commercial users (which includes data centers) have barely moved and industrial rates have actually fallen, even as both sectors are consuming more power than ever.

“In other words, people using their toasters, laptops, and electric heating and cooking at home are paying ever-increasing prices, while the data centers that are driving rapid growth in electricity demand are scoring handsome discounts,” Karin Kirk explains.

Read more from Karin, steering committee member of Montanans for Affordable Energy, here: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2026/01/home-electricity-bills-are-skyrocketing-for-data-centers-not-so-much/

02/03/2026

Data centers are causing big increases in energy demand, but it's our bills that are rising the most. Seems unfair, eh?

Data centers are consuming more kilowatts than ever, but the price they pay for that electricity has risen only a little.