Butte-Silver Bow Commissioner Seeks PSC Protections for Data Center Electricity Costs
Butte-Silver Bow Commissioner Russell O'Leary has urged the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) to implement protections for existing ratepayers against potential electricity cost increases due to large data center loads, particularly as Sabey Data Centers plans to establish a facility in Butte. He seeks support from the local council to advocate for a separate rate class and binding tariff protections to prevent cost shifts to residential and small business customers, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding community impacts. A public meeting was held to address these concerns.
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Commissioner Russell O'Leary requests the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) to establish protections for existing ratepayers against higher electricity bills from large electric loads like data centers. He aims to get support from the Butte-Silver Bow council to send a letter to the PSC, particularly as Sabey Data Centers plans to build a facility in Butte.
The PSC is considering parameters for NorthWestern Energy to serve data centers. Three companies, including Sabey, plan to purchase up to 1,400 megawatts of power by 2030. O'Leary's letter requests a separate rate class for large loads, binding tariff protections, and safeguards to ensure costs are not shifted to residential and small business customers.
He also emphasizes the need for a transparent process regarding potential impacts on the community. A public meeting for the Ad Hoc Data Center Impact Committee was held to address community concerns.
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