Butte Chief Executive: Data center initiative would affect other new businesses
Citizens in Butte-Silver Bow, Montana, are collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that would require a special election and two-thirds voter approval for any new data centers. The Butte Chief Executive is concerned the initiative's broad definition of a data center could hinder general economic development. Supporters cite concerns over energy rates and water resources.
John Amy of MTN News reported on a ballot initiative in Butte-Silver Bow, Montana, that seeks to give voters the final say on data center development in the county. The initiative would require a special election with a two-thirds voter approval before the county could permit or approve any data center. Butte Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher expressed concerns that the initiative's broad definition of a data center could inadvertently affect other businesses with electronic equipment, potentially limiting economic activity beyond just data centers. He also suggested the initiative is misleading as people might not fully understand what they are voting on.
Supporters of the initiative, however, argue that data centers could increase energy rates and strain water resources, referencing a past agreement with the SEBI data center at Montana Connections Industrial Park, which SEBI later pulled out of. They believe the county failed in its due diligence and that citizens need to assert control over government decisions. One economic developer dismissed Gallagher's concerns about limiting business as "pure baloney." Proponents have until the end of August to collect over 3,600 signatures to get the initiative on the ballot.