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NorthWestern Energy's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) has come under fire for its inadequate focus on renewable energy and heavy reliance on data centers, despite plans for significant infrastructure growth. Critics argue that the IRP, which anticipates a 13% reduction in costs per megawatt-hour, could ultimately lead to higher consumer costs and insufficiently addresses climate change concerns. While the utility aims for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and plans to transition to nuclear power by 2043, public feedback sessions indicate a strong demand for a more robust commitment to renewable energy sources.