Power, housing and public opinion: The hurdles between eastern Montana and its first data center
Eastern Montana faces significant hurdles in developing its first large-scale data center, including public opposition, substantial electricity demands, and a shortage of housing for workers. Custer County residents are actively debating proposed zoning revisions, with some advocating for a two-year moratorium due to environmental and resource concerns. Despite these challenges, developers and economic officials see strong interest in the region.
Eastern Montana is grappling with the potential arrival of its first large-scale data center, facing considerable public skepticism, infrastructure challenges, and a local housing shortage. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that residents of Custer County are actively participating in public hearings regarding updated county zoning regulations, with many voicing concerns about data centers' resource demands and environmental impacts. Some residents have proposed a two-year moratorium on data center construction to allow for a comprehensive study of potential effects.
Despite these hurdles, economic development officials, including John Laney of the Miles City Area Chamber of Commerce, confirm significant developer interest in the region. The article cites the Big Sky Campus, a planned AI data center by Quantica Infrastructure near Broadview, as a precedent, noting its projected 1,100-megawatt power requirement and plans for further generation capacity. Power infrastructure, housing, and public opinion are identified as the primary obstacles.
Utilities such as NorthWestern Energy and Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) are preparing for increased demand, with NorthWestern Energy acquiring land in Colstrip for future generation. NextEra Energy Resources is also expanding wind and solar capacity in the area. The article highlights widespread opposition across Montana, with a Montana Free Press poll indicating 75% of voters are against data centers in their communities, primarily due to concerns about electricity rates and environmental consequences like water usage and noise.