Quantica outlines proposed water usage for Broadview data center
Quantica, the developer of a proposed 5,000-acre energy and data center near Broadview in Yellowstone County, Montana, has announced the project's projected water and electricity usage. The company plans to use 20,000 gallons of water per day from a deep aquifer using closed-loop cooling technology, and will draw 1,100 megawatts of power. This announcement follows the county's decision to invalidate thousands of signatures gathered by residents attempting to force a public vote on the data center, though opposition efforts are ongoing.
Quantica, the developer behind a large-scale energy and data center project in Yellowstone County, Montana, has provided details on the proposed facility's water and power consumption. The 5,000-acre campus, located near Broadview, is expected to use 20,000 gallons of water daily for its closed-loop cooling system once fully operational. Water will be sourced from the Deep Madison Group Aquifer, approximately 4,000 to 5,000 feet below ground, a depth chosen to avoid impacting shallower wells relied upon by local residents.
Big Sky Digital Infrastructure, which will operate the data center, states the two aquifers are not hydraulically connected, ensuring local water supplies are unaffected. The facility will require 1,100 megawatts of power, with an application for 7,235 megawatts already submitted to the Montana Public Service Commission for grid connection. Damon Obie, general counsel of Big Sky Digital Infrastructure, emphasized the company's commitment to responsible water use, citing his Montana ranching background.
The announcement comes after Yellowstone County officials dismissed thousands of signatures collected by residents aiming to bring the data center project to a public vote. The signatures were invalidated due to organizers missing the submission deadline, which they attributed to incorrect information provided by county officials. Despite this setback, citizens from Broadview continue to pursue avenues to have voters approve or reject data centers.