Bonner Data Center

I have a home directly across the street from the Mill.

I am horrified that this project will have a dramatically negative impact on our water, power, mental health and way-of-life. Not to mention the drastic effects it will have on the schoolchildren at Bonner Elementary.

Please consider this lovely community and decline this project!!

The consequences of this project will lead to more inflation of energy costs, pollute our rivers and environment, threaten our aquifer, etc, and offer no benefit to the local economy. It is a just plain ugly project for our beautiful communities, Bonner and downstream. The County must say no.

This project is of no benefit to the general public, is a huge draw on state water resources, and will result in ecological catastrophe if implemented. The County should refuse this project in its entirety.

I strongly urge the Missoula County Consolidated Land Use Board to deny this proposal. This project is not in the communities best interests. The future of Missoula County’s natural resources are uncertain and are stressed. They are only going to get worse. A project such as this would only stress our natural resources further. We live in a time where we need to conserve our resources, not allow them to be experimented with.

The fact that the reps for the company thought it was fine to be half-hearten and vague about their resource consumption is enough to decline their proposal. From the Berkeley Pit to the Smurfit-Stone Mill, these extraction companies never show the communities upfront what messes will be left for us to clean up. Let’s not wait and find out. It is hard to claim that this project is sustainable. Sadly most e-waste is not recyclable. It would be terrible to see our community contribute to more carbon emissions by enabling companies to extract the minerals to make the batteries, and then throw it back into the soil. If the company were to go bankrupt, will the infrastructure be sitting around? Or will it be shipped somewhere else on the planet to rot and pollute the soil.

Almost every concern a person could have for this data center are high risk concerns. They are not mild or moderate concerns, they are great big huge concerns. What’s worse, is that each concern a person could have about a data center is too new to humanity to be fully understood. If in a decade we find that there are harms to human health, will Krambu still be around to pay their medical bills? If their water-cooling system, that has never been deployed at the proposed scale, doesn’t have the results they promised, do we get to revoke their permit? I do not want this community to become a test dummy for this corporation or this industry. It is unfair to place the burden of such magnitude of uncertainty on the community.

Additionally, the moral and societal implications of supporting an industry that may lower cognitive abilities, memory, and exploit and pirate off of others skills and creativity are so vast, they could not possibly be accounted for or responsibly planned for.

The priorities of this community are for community health, student health, environmental stewardship, local business, and to work to lower housing costs, and responsible planning. Please do not let this cooperation take advantage of our community. We are demanding that this project be not approved.

Clean water is the lifeblood of Montana. The Krambu AI data center raises many issues, and water is a critical one. Without protection, the AI data center could put the Blackfoot River in a tightening vice, choking it between consumption and contamination.

Consumption:

When it comes to water consumption, timing is everything.

Krambu claims that using a closed-loop system will minimize its water consumption. That is credible --- but we need full transparency around these claims. For example, Sabey Data Centers, has said its proposed Butte data center will use about 16 million gallons of water annually, equating that to about the impact of a 100 room hotel. Sabey Data Centers, like Krambu, is claiming that its use of a closed-loop system will cut its water consumption. What is important to understand is that nearly all 16 million gallons will be used in July and August, when the temperatures are hottest and when the rivers and landscape need that water the most (see slides 17 and 18 of this presentation: https://www.buttedatacenterinfo.com/_files/ugd/261bfd_85c42a797eba456d9436b509ddefdb14.pdf).

Again, timing is everything.

A 100-room hotel typically uses between 300,000 and 600,000 gallons of water per month, assuming a standard occupancy rate of approximately 60–70%. Taking the average of 450,000 and then dividing 16,000,000 by that average equals about 36. Divide that by 2 for two months (July and August) and you arrive at 18. So, the Sabey Data Center water consumption is actually like adding eighteen 100 room hotels for the two months that matter most when it comes to water consumption. I would like to know if Krambu's projections are similar. In Krambu's case, water will be drawn from onsite wells, and we know that groundwater and surface water are connected (https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/content/study-confirms-groundwater-pumping-drying-arizona-rivers). Groundwater and surface water are connected, meaning groundwater level changes significantly impact above-ground water in rivers and streams.

Contamination:

Forever chemicals are forever.

Regarding contamination, Krambu claims its closed-loop system uses a "food safe" propylene glycol fluid. That may be true, but the public needs verification. It needs independent testing of Krambu’s cooling fluids, and Krambu should pay for that. Until Krambu provides full disclosure of its cooling fluid recipe and allows independent testing, we should be very hesitant to believe it is "food safe." Material Safety Data Sheets for propylene glycol-based cooling fluids for data center cooling can be found online. One popular brand, DOWFROST™ LC 25 Heat Transfer Fluid, which markets its fluid as a, “prediluted 25% propylene glycol solution in water with a purpose-built corrosion inhibitor package designed to help protect system metals while maintaining reliable heat transfer performance,” has a Material Safety Data Sheets disclosing it poses an inhalation risk. Here's a sample: "Hazards: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child." Given the proximity to residential housing and an elementary school, and of course, the Blackfoot River, verification that Krambu’s cooling fluids are non-toxic is necessary.

The use of "dielectric fluids" for cooling---fluids that are thermally conductive but not electrically conductive—is booming in AI data centers. These fluids are fluorocarbon-based, meaning they are "forever chemicals." AI chips run really, really hot. Cooling these chips is a new frontier. They generally demand direct, liquid cooling. This very recent data center industry article highlights the top 10 cooling companies' current solutions: https://datacentremagazine.com/top10/top-10-liquid-cooling-companies. They all depend on strange liquids. These cooling fluid markets are expanding into the billions of dollars. The city of Kalispell currently needs an $18 million investment in new wells and water transmission to shield the public from PFAS contamination (https://deq.mt.gov/files/Water/WQInfo/Documents/SRF/DWSRF/Kalispell%20PFAS_FONSI-EA_Public%20Notice.pdf). The source of Kalispell’s drinking water contamination is currently unknown. Bonner needs verification that its residents' drinking water supplies will not be threatened by dangerous forever chemicals. Not now. Not in the future. These are chemicals that are hazardous to human health at a parts per trillion scale. That’s a scale of one drop of liquid in twenty Olympic swimming pools.

Unanswered Questions:

The Bonner community must ask itself if this the best long-term use of the Bonner mill site, given the: low employment benefits, potential resource demands, uncertainty about impacts to affordable and reliable electricity, uncertainty about future expansion and potential for larger energy and water use if expanded, unclear data tenants (Krambu says they’d like “biomedical AI clients” but that they are not closing the door on any clientele).

Bonner needs transparency and certainty. Krambu has not provided either.

Clean water is Montana's lifeblood. There are many issues with the Krambu proposal, water is a critical one. The AI data center could place the Blackfoot River in a tightening vice, choking it between consumption and contamination.

Consumption:

When it comes to water consumption, timing is everything.

Krambu claims that using a closed-loop system will minimize its water consumption. That is credible --- but we need full transparency around these claims. For example, Sabey Data Centers, has said its proposed Butte data center will use about 16 million gallons of water annually, equating that to about the impact of a 100 room hotel. Sabey Data Centers, like Krambu, is claiming that its use of a closed-loop system will cut its water consumption. What is important to understand is that nearly all 16 million gallons will be used in July and August, when the temperatures are hottest and when the rivers and landscape need that water the most (see slides 17 and 18 of this presentation: https://www.buttedatacenterinfo.com/_files/ugd/261bfd_85c42a797eba456d9436b509ddefdb14.pdf).

Again, timing is everything.

A 100-room hotel typically uses between 300,000 and 600,000 gallons of water per month, assuming a standard occupancy rate of approximately 60–70%. Taking the average of 450,000 and then dividing 16,000,000 by that average equals about 36. Divide that by 2 for two months (July and August) and you arrive at 18. So, the Sabey Data Center water consumption is actually like adding eighteen 100 room hotels for the two months that matter most when it comes to water consumption. Are Krambu's needs similar? In Krambu's case, water will be drawn from onsite wells, and we know that groundwater and surface water are connected (https://morrisoninstitute.asu.edu/content/study-confirms-groundwater-pumping-drying-arizona-rivers). When groundwater level changes, it significantly impacts above-ground water in rivers and streams.

Contamination:

Forever chemicals are forever.

Regarding contamination, Krambu claims its closed-loop system uses a "food safe" propylene glycol fluid. That may be true, but the public needs verification. It needs independent testing of Krambu’s cooling fluids, and Krambu should pay for that. Until Krambu provides full disclosure of its cooling fluid recipe and allows independent testing, we should be very hesitant to believe it is "food safe." Material Safety Data Sheets for propylene glycol-based cooling fluids for data center cooling can be found online. One popular brand, DOWFROST™ LC 25 Heat Transfer Fluid, which markets its fluid as a, “prediluted 25% propylene glycol solution in water with a purpose-built corrosion inhibitor package designed to help protect system metals while maintaining reliable heat transfer performance,” has a Material Safety Data Sheets disclosing it poses an inhalation risk. Here's a sample: "Hazards: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child." Given the proximity to residential housing and an elementary school, and of course, the Blackfoot River, verification that Krambu’s cooling fluids are non-toxic is necessary.

The use of "dielectric fluids" for cooling---fluids that are thermally conductive but not electrically conductive—is booming in AI data centers. These fluids are fluorocarbon-based, meaning they are "forever chemicals." AI chips run really, really hot. Cooling these chips is a new frontier. They generally demand direct, liquid cooling. This very recent data center industry article highlights the top 10 cooling companies' current solutions: https://datacentremagazine.com/top10/top-10-liquid-cooling-companies. They all depend on strange liquids. These cooling fluid markets are expanding into the billions of dollars. No community wants to be the guinea pig for these new chemicals.

The city of Kalispell currently needs an $18 million investment in new wells and water transmission to shield the public from PFAS contamination (https://deq.mt.gov/files/Water/WQInfo/Documents/SRF/DWSRF/Kalispell%20PFAS_FONSI-EA_Public%20Notice.pdf). The source of Kalispell’s drinking water contamination is currently unknown. Bonner needs verification that its residents' drinking water supplies will not be threatened by dangerous forever chemicals. Not now. Not in the future. These are chemicals that are hazardous to human health at a parts per trillion scale. That’s a scale of one drop of liquid in twenty Olympic swimming pools.

Unanswered Questions:

The Bonner community must ask itself if this the best long-term use of the Bonner mill site, given the: low employment benefits, potential resource demands, uncertainty about impacts to affordable and reliable electricity, uncertainty about future expansion and potential for larger energy and water use if expanded, and the unclear data tenants (Krambu says they’d like “biomedical AI clients” but that they are not closing the door on any clientele).

Bonner needs transparency and certainty. Krambu has not provided either.

I strongly oppose this proposal which will only benefit Krambu, while threatening our aquifer, the Blackfoot River, our statewide electric costs, and the local communities of Bonner and East Missoula. Krambu's explanation of how they plan to mitigate the heat and waste water generated from this data center's operation are utterly inadequate. Stand Strong, Missoula!

Absolutely against the data center... Taking resources from our community and our wildlife is unacceptable. I hope missoula county understands the tax payers do not want this.

AI data centers strain the power grid and hike up local electricity costs. This is the opposite of the Montana ethos of supporting local business and community. Krambu inc is here to take, not to give. As a born and raised Montanan, and local Missoula business owner, I’m deeply opposed to the establishment of any AI data center in Montana.

I am a Bonner resident, a parent of Bonner School students, and an employee of a Bonner organization. I do not support an AI data center in this community. AI, in its current state, is doing horrific damage to the environment, the future of creative occupations, and the souls of humanity. We are learning to outsource critical thinking, creativity, writing, and art to a plagiarism machine that produces far-worse results than human-made products and does so at the cost of our earthly resources. What a terrible thing to bring to our beautiful community. Please consider whether or not greed and short-sighted financial gains are worth sacrificing our souls for. In my opinion, we can do much, much better. Thank you for your time.

I do not support this data center because it will pollute our eco system and drain our grid. A data center this close to watershed is going to heat it up and cause nasty algae blooms, especially when its low. This won't just affect Bonner but everything down stream. Whatever they run that water through will end up back in our aquafier and river no matter what filters they use it will not be cost efficient to remove all what will be introduced into the water. Definitely harmful to our community. I absolutely do not support this data center.

A better idea than a data center is an indoor flea market or event hosting. That way everyone wins. A data center this close to watershed is going to heat it up and cause nasty algae blooms, especially when its low. This won't just affect bonner but everything down stream. Whatever they run that water through will end up back in our aquafier and river no matter what filters they use it will not be cost efficient to remove all what will be introduced into the water. I think the owner should reach out to the community for alternative ideas than allowing this to occur.

What a pathetic idea for our town. Clear the dollar signs out of your eyes and wake up! AI data companies should never be trusted in any capacity. They are a drain on our resources, pollute our environment, and will negatively impact the power grid. They are also completely dishonest and fail to present actual facts about the resources they consume. Also how will a data center help reduce the cost of living in Missoula? Adding a data center will continue to drive up the price of homes and cost of living in Missoula. This company will bring in new employees from out of the area that will be paid very well and will create a bigger financial imbalance in town. Any member of Missoula government that votes for a data center should be recalled immediately.

I don't think that this project is in the community's best interest. I think that it is resource intensive and comes with a high probability of negative environmental consequence. As someone who lives nearby, I feel nervous at the thought of industry like this moving in so close to my home.

I like my water for drinking, not generating deepfakes and slop.

After reading the comments see no offered alternate ideas for the location, just supported reasons for I-we, dont like it. Anything going there will have an impact. So, if its not going to be something moving the region into the future, we should drop another fuel depot, recycling drop off center and a mini-mall of dispensarys- at least it woulnt sit vacant while some agency works quietly on funding for a shelter complex which will get approved without our input. If all the water/enviro change is happening, we'll have to eventually move further away from a tourism/ag base. Data is one option in a cleaner than a steel mill industry choice. Also, A.I. is letting us bloviate here so it isn't all bad...maybe. No, I dont have any financial dog in this hunt.

I feel for the Mill owner, and I understand that it has been hard to find a tenant for his largest building. However, I do not want a data center in our community. After attending the first public meeting and listening to the staff of Krambu speak, I do not feel any sort of confidence that they are being upfront and have our community’s best interest in mind. Most of their answers were vague, at best, and there are still a lot of unknowns around this particular type of data center because it will be one of the first of its kind. This kind of energy sucking and truly unnecessary kind of business does not belong near a residential areas and water sheds. So much more would need to be disclosed for me to be on board with this project, and I do not have confidence that this business has any intention of that.

As a Missoula resident, I do not want this data center. A data center in this location, or any location, puts natural resources, and in turn, local residents, at risk. Montana does not need data centers. Natural resources, water especially, are at a higher risk now more than ever before. Preventative measures are better than damage control. Listen to the people - we DO NOT want this.

There's not strong enough language in the world for how vehemently I am opposed to this project. Montanans don't need— and certainly do NOT want— this huge disaster for our Blackfoot river. We don't want this noise-polluting, energy-sucking monstrosity that will inevitably cause our already sky-high utility rates to go up.

There are other comments highlighting the ethical and social catastrophes that AI cause (see the MIT study on cognitive decline in AI users that at least one other commenter cited). That's reason enough to oppose this project that will create... just how many jobs for the community? Five? Six?

The CEO of the California-headquarted company Krambu called this an "AI factory." Call it what it really is: an urban heat island factory, a noise pollution factory, an online-disinformation factory, a cost-of-living-increasing factory... the list goes on and on.

As concerned neighbors, we are demanding that this project not be approved. There is so very little to gain, and so much to lose. Please, do the right thing for our community and do not approve this awful, awful project.

We don't want or need that here! It will affect and pollute our beautiful river and lands. we will continue to fight it