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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Butte Silver Bow Ad Hoc Data Center Impact Committee Meeting - February 10, 2026

Council of Commissioners & Committees — Tuesday, February 10, 2026

BodyButte Silver Bow, Montana

SessionCouncil of Commissioners & Committees

DateTuesday, February 10, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:55:56

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

6:11

Good afternoon, everybody.

6:16

Good afternoon.

6:17

I haven't done the gavel.

6:20

I like that.

6:24

I could whistle.

6:27

All right, thanks for attending this afternoon.

6:29

Uh call the meeting to order, please.

6:33

Um I'll run through like I have in the past uh team names of who's on the committee, and we can identify who's not here.

6:42

Uh start with Mr.

6:44

JP Gallagher.

6:45

There's myself, Andy Durkin is here, Paul Babb, Tammy Burke, Karen Burns, Chris Kellogg is not here today.

6:59

Uh McKinsey is here, Julia Crane is here, Jim Cambich here, Jim Keenan, Kayla Lappin, is Johnny, there you are, Johnny McLean, Bob Morris.

7:16

Uh Stephanie Sereni told me she might make it, she's an Anaconda, so she's not here yet.

7:22

Kelly Sullivan was out all most of the day today.

7:24

I didn't see her, so I don't know if she's out today.

7:27

Hattie Thatcher.

7:32

She may be here later.

7:37

Todd Trigidja, Todd's not here.

7:44

And Sarah Border.

7:47

For some reason you're always last on my list.

7:49

Sorry.

7:50

Save the best for last, Sarah.

7:53

Um for starters last week's minutes.

7:57

I made some comments.

7:58

McKinsey had 'em.

7:59

I wanted to clarify my comments.

8:02

Excuse me.

8:04

Um last we were talking about traffic last week, and I had mentioned that uh during construction that they built a construction road in order to supply so people can get to the work site.

8:15

And while they're doing the construction road, they were working on the main road and putting in the utilities like the water line, etc.

8:23

Um, along the easement.

8:24

The construction road is west of RP, Rhoda, Stoffer, whatever you want to call it.

8:31

I call I refer to it as RP.

8:33

And that road is still not paved.

8:35

And it goes from uh um German Gulch Road up to basically REC.

8:43

And then the pavement ends right about the corner where you turn into the REC parking lot.

8:48

From the REC parking lot down along the east side of RP is paved.

8:55

And that's where the primary can um traffic activity occurs.

8:59

So I just wanted to clarify that 'cause I think it was mis it was miswritten in the uh minutes.

9:04

So um any other comments, questions on the minutes from last week.

9:18

Thank you.

9:20

Second.

9:21

By Mr.

9:22

Cambridge.

9:22

All in favor?

9:24

Opposed?

9:25

Thank you.

9:47

Um but John's unable to attend tonight for whatever reason.

9:52

And so um we have a copy of that report from John that we'll just email.

10:04

Maybe we can discuss it if we we'll have to we'll have to talk about our process for next week.

10:12

Um the idea is to go through the slides that we have so far tonight, and then whatever is left, there may be some gaps still to fill and uh find out whether whether we decide as a team to finalize these slides again at a meeting like this next Tuesday or not, we'll figure out by the end of the meeting.

10:30

Does that sound fair?

10:34

So the the slide deck, I don't know how everybody has a copy of the slide deck.

10:44

Were we going to present at this have another show on at this time or not?

10:48

Do we have it?

10:50

I don't know if we but essentially the slide deck um I was talking to Mr.

11:00

Gallagher earlier tonight about the process for how this would work, and we're on the com we're on the agenda for next Wednesday's council meeting.

11:10

And the intent is that we would present the slides that we have at that meeting.

11:16

So likely I will probably lead the presentation process and pull in my experts on power.

11:23

That'd be Mr.

11:24

Morse and taxes, Mr.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Water And Wastewater Management████████████████████████24%

Technology and Innovation███████████████████████23%

Procedural██████████████████18%

Economic Development█████████████13%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Environmental Protection█████████9%

Workforce Development██2%

Engineering And Infrastructure█1%

Community Engagement█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Butte Silver Bow Ad Hoc Data Center Impact Committee Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Butte Silver Bow Ad Hoc Data Center Impact Committee met on February 10, 2026, to finalize a slide deck for a presentation to the Council scheduled for February 18, 2026, regarding the proposed SABI data center. The committee reviewed draft slides, discussed key topics, and set a timeline for completion.

Consent Calendar

Minutes Approved: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting after the chair clarified a description of construction traffic and road conditions in the area.

Discussion Items

Slide Deck Structure: The committee decided to create two versions: a condensed presentation for the Council covering power, water, taxes, jobs, environmental and community impacts, and a separate addendum with background information, definitions, and supporting data. The presentation will open with the committee's mission, a map, and then proceed through the core topics.
Definitions: The committee refined the definition of "data" to include all electronic devices, not just computers. Sarah Border volunteered to research inclusive terminology such as "Internet of Things." It was clarified that the proposed data center is a co-location type; Bob Morris will verify with SABI.
Jobs and Phasing: Sarah suggested breaking down jobs by phase (e.g., for the initial 50 MW). John McLean argued for consistency: if jobs are presented in phases, water and power estimates should also be phased. Karen Burns recommended presenting full build-out numbers across all topics for simplicity, with footnotes on phasing. The committee agreed to present full build-out data for water and power, with job numbers also at full build-out while noting the phased timeline. John McLean also stressed including a 10-year timeline reference to temper expectations.
Tax Revenue: John McLean requested specific tax revenue estimates for the full build-out, comparable to the detailed numbers given for other topics. Kayla Lappin confirmed that Andy Durkin's detailed tax calculations would be added to the slides.
Water Usage: Bob Morris and Jim Keenan merged water slides to show the independent industrial water system and projected usage. Key points: full build-out annual water consumption of 16 million gallons (peak summer usage 300,000-400,000 gallons/day for 30-60 days); the Silver Lake system has capacity well above this, as demonstrated by past usage and the upcoming Metro effluent reuse project which will offset the data center's usage.
Environmental Impacts: The committee planned slides on noise (including generator testing), lighting (downlighting requirements), and discharge (cooling water blowdown; SABI to clarify). They will request decibel readings from SABI and note that noise is comparable to existing industrial park activities.
Community Impacts: Slides on housing and traffic were retained and will be part of the presentation.
Public Questions: Kayla Lappin reported approximately 65 questions received. About one quarter have been answered, with responses directed to the website FAQ. Inappropriate questions will be omitted. A compiled Q&A addendum will be provided to the Council and posted on the website.

Key Outcomes

Minutes Approved: Motion carried.
Next Meeting Canceled: The committee voted to cancel the meeting scheduled for February 17, 2026 (the following Tuesday) to allow time for printing and finalization.
Assignments:
- Bob Morris: Confirm data center type with SABI; add slide on PSC docket and large load tariff; simplify water slides with Jim Keenan; provide estimated tax revenue slide (with Andy Durkin).
- Kayla Lappin and McKenzie: Receive slide inputs from members by Thursday, February 12; compile final slide deck by Tuesday morning, February 17; coordinate printing of 100+ copies.
- Jim Keenan: Assist with water slides.
- Sarah Border: Research data terminology.
Presentation to Council: Set for Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The chair will lead, supported by Bob Morris (power, water), Andy Durkin (taxes), Kayla Lappin (jobs, Q&A), Karen Burns, and Jim Keenan.

Public Comments

Jay Cornish: Asked about hazardous and solid waste disposal plans for the facility.
Cindy Purdue Nolan: Requested inclusion of information on closed-loop water systems and technological advancements.
Evan Bear: Thanked the committee but expressed difficulty viewing slides from the audience; urged earlier public access to slide drafts. He disagreed with using full build-out job numbers instead of a phased, sequential plan and left written comments for the committee.
Jamie Payne: Recommended adding a technical writer for consistency and questioned why the land agreement extension was presented to the Council before the committee completed its work.
Tom Malloy: Raised concerns about the "no discharge" claim, on-site water storage requirements, and hazardous waste storage and disposal.
Robin Jordan: Encouraged the committee to ensure slides are readable with clear, large text and fewer slides per sheet.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everybody. Good afternoon. I haven't done the gavel. I like that. I could whistle. All right, thanks for attending this afternoon. Uh call the meeting to order, please. Um I'll run through like I have in the past uh team names of who's on the committee, and we can identify who's not here. Uh start with Mr. JP Gallagher. There's myself, Andy Durkin is here, Paul Babb, Tammy Burke, Karen Burns, Chris Kellogg is not here today. Uh McKinsey is here, Julia Crane is here, Jim Cambich here, Jim Keenan, Kayla Lappin, is Johnny, there you are, Johnny McLean, Bob Morris. Uh Stephanie Sereni told me she might make it, she's an Anaconda, so she's not here yet. Kelly Sullivan was out all most of the day today. I didn't see her, so I don't know if she's out today. Hattie Thatcher. She may be here later. Todd Trigidja, Todd's not here. And Sarah Border. For some reason you're always last on my list. Sorry. Save the best for last, Sarah. Um for starters last week's minutes. I made some comments. McKinsey had 'em. I wanted to clarify my comments. Excuse me. Um last we were talking about traffic last week, and I had mentioned that uh during construction that they built a construction road in order to supply so people can get to the work site. And while they're doing the construction road, they were working on the main road and putting in the utilities like the water line, etc. Um, along the easement. The construction road is west of RP, Rhoda, Stoffer, whatever you want to call it. I call I refer to it as RP. And that road is still not paved. And it goes from uh um German Gulch Road up to basically REC. And then the pavement ends right about the corner where you turn into the REC parking lot. From the REC parking lot down along the east side of RP is paved. And that's where the primary can um traffic activity occurs. So I just wanted to clarify that 'cause I think it was mis it was miswritten in the uh minutes. So um any other comments, questions on the minutes from last week. Thank you. Second. By Mr. Cambridge. All in favor? Opposed? Thank you. Um but John's unable to attend tonight for whatever reason. And so um we have a copy of that report from John that we'll just email. Maybe we can discuss it if we we'll have to we'll have to talk about our process for next week. Um the idea is to go through the slides that we have so far tonight, and then whatever is left, there may be some gaps still to fill and uh find out whether whether we decide as a team to finalize these slides again at a meeting like this next Tuesday or not, we'll figure out by the end of the meeting.

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