Agreement between data center developer and union federation thin on details
An agreement between Quantica Infrastructure and the Southeastern Montana Building and Construction Trades Council for a 5,000-acre data center near Broadview, Montana, has been announced with few public details. Environmental groups, like the Montana Environmental Information Center, express concerns about potential impacts on utility rates, power consumption, water usage, and community aspects. The project, planned for 12-16 buildings, anticipates power needs up to 7,000 megawatts and faces ongoing scrutiny.
Quantica Infrastructure has announced an agreement with the Southeastern Montana Building and Construction Trades Council for a large-scale "Big Sky Campus" data center near Broadview, Montana, which could span 5,000 acres and include 12 to 16 buildings. While the memorandum of understanding outlines a focus on union-backed workforce development and project stability, specific details remain scarce, with Trades Council President Clint McCulloch declining to share the MOU with Montana Free Press. The proposed facility, located about 30 miles north of Billings, is estimated to require up to 1,100 megawatts initially, with potential future needs reaching 7,000 megawatts.
The project faces scrutiny from environmental groups. Anne Hedges, Executive Director of the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC), expressed concerns about the lack of transparency, calling the public information "PR." She raised unanswered questions regarding the data center's potential impact on utility rates, power consumption, water usage, light pollution, ambient noise, and traffic congestion. Hedges emphasized the need for accountability and ensuring that Montana residents do not suffer negative consequences.
Former adviser to Gov. Greg Gianforte, Travis Hall, distributed the release on behalf of Quantica, hailing it as a significant win for Montana workers. The project has also sparked political discussion, with the Montana Democratic Party planning to address data centers at its upcoming state convention in Billings. While the Montana AFL-CIO, represented by executive secretary Jason Small, does not have an official stance, some affiliated unions support the development.