Stop a Missoula AI Data Center
A local coalition is being organized to oppose a proposed artificial intelligence data center in the Missoula area
Data center developer Krambu is planning an AI facility for the Bonner Mill Industrial Park.
According to the Krambu zoning special exception application on the Missoula County website:
The project consists of constructing several "clean rooms" inside the existing building and associated liquid cooling towers around the perimeter.
On staffing, parking, and jobs:
The data center will be a stand-alone facility that will not require regular staffing, so no additional parking will be necessary or provided because the existing parking facilities are entirely adequate. Once construction is complete, the only vehicle traffic will be periodic maintenance and technical visits to check on the mechanical and electrical systems.
On water use:
Water will be provided from the existing on-site domestic system that services the industrial mall and residences in the immediate area; however, the water use is minimal. The electronic components are cooled with a closed loop cooling system that does not use water after its initial charging. Some of the external cooling towers use an evaporative cooling technology that uses domestic water, however, after the initial charging the only on-going water demand would come from occasional replacement of water lost through evaporation. At full build out, the entire demand on the system will be about the same as a typical single-family residence with irrigation.
On power use:
Currently, the existing on-site infrastructure can provide up to 29 megawatts. Power will be acquired via market purchase from a third-party entity to mitigate potential impacts on rates. The cost for any infrastructure required would be borne by the tenant and not passed on to the ratepayer. Krambu is aware of Missoula’s requirement for renewable energy sources, contained in section 5.10 of the Zoning Code, and intends to fully comply with these requirements.
What is Missoula County Doing?
The Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB) has scheduled a hearing on Wednesday July 1 at 6:00 pm ONLY to review the proposed industrial use's potential impacts on nearby residential properties, not whether a data center is an allowed use under the zoning in this location:
While the land use board at times only has authority to make recommendations to the commissioners, the board does have final decision-making authority in some cases, including zoning variances, zoning special exceptions and administrative action appeals.
If a special exception is approved, the developers must apply for a zoning compliance permit. The permit application must demonstrate compliance with the County's data center zoning regulations, including requirements for new renewable energy and e-waste recycling. Zoning compliance permits are subject to administrative review and do not go through public hearing process.
Under capitalism, this hearing for a zoning special exception is the main legal avenue to challenge this project, but within these very narrow bounds. Not open for consideration by the MCCLUB and the Missoula County government are impacts from financing (generally from speculators/investors); from end AI use for possible breaches of privacy and civil liberties by ICE, FBI, private corporations, etc.; from the elimination of jobs; from its potential use for genocide and war; as well as from the broader demands on energy and water and the consumer and environmental impacts that will have.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Missoula Resists and others are organizing a campaign for the meeting on July 1, but also for campaigning after the MCCLUB finds in favor of the developer. Please be alert for action messages for July 1st and after. Together we can stop this AI data center!
If you want to get involved contact Mark at manderlik@igc.org or cell/text at 406-207-1884.
Data Center Coalition All-Hands Meeting:
- TIME: Sunday June 14, at 12:00 pm
- LOCATION: Missoula Public Library, Cooper Room B
Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board (MCCLUB) public meeting:
- TIME: Wednesday, July 1, at 6 pm
- LOCATION: 200 W. Broadway, Missoula County Courthouse, Sophie Moiese Room
- VIRTUAL: Residents can attend the meeting via Microsoft Teams. To join the meeting on your device, follow the links on the agenda that will be published on the Consolidated Land Use Board page.
