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Council keeps data‑center questions active, places Bordoon communication in suspense until Jan. 14
Summary
Commissioners debated staff answers about taxation, water contracts and energy for proposed data centers and voted to place communication 2025-546 in the suspense file until the Committee of the Whole meeting on Jan. 14, 2026 (7–3). Residents and reporter Sarah Bordoon raised concerns about ratepayer risk and transparency from Northwestern Energy.
At a Dec. 10 Committee of the Whole meeting, Butte-Silver Bow commissioners continued a public conversation about proposed data-center projects and the local impacts of taxation, water contracts and power supply. Sarah Bordoon (author of communication 2025-546, associated with Beyond the Boom) submitted a list of technical and policy questions; staff read detailed responses and representatives of Northwestern Energy described how large-load contracts and tariff templates will be developed and presented to the Montana Public Service Commission.
Key points: staff told the council that data centers are eligible for the class-17 tax classification set by the Montana Legislature and that class-17 property is taxed at 0.9% of market value assessed yearly by the Montana Department of Revenue. Director Karen…
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