…An Expert Panel Discussion
Free and Open to the Public
When: Thursday, January 8th, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Where: Haute Hive Conference Room
721 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT 59401
[Capacity 60-65 – come early to assure a seat; overflow seating may be available.]
Panelist Questions:
- What are the chances of new data centers breaking ground around Montana and Cascade County, now that the first candidate has given up?
- How will data centers impact Montanans’ energy bills, water resources, and public budgets for firefighting, wastewater, and public safety?
- How, where, and when can members of the public take action today?
- What is at stake if we don’t act?
- How has existing and historic community engagement produced successful results in Great Falls?
The panel will explore recent changing energy policy at the state and federal level, updates on NorthWestern Energy’s new Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), and data center proposals around the state, all of which could raise electricity bills and impact water resources.
We will discuss how to “vet” a Data Center project for appropriateness to a geographic area and an existing energy grid.
We will explore how public engagement can protect Great Falls (and has protected Great Falls in the past, using Citizens for Clean Energy and MEIC’s joint effort to stop a highly polluting coal-fired power plant proposal 10-15 years ago, as an example).
We the People have the power to both create and prevent change, through public engagement and education!
Panelists:
Anne Hedges, Montana Environmental Information Center
- Federal and state energy policy overview
- Updates on NorthWestern Energy’s IRP / plans to serve data centers
Richard Liebert, Citizens for Clean Energy
- Lessons learned from the last round of energy deregulation
- Public engagement and the Highwood Coal Plant
Guy Alsentzer, Upper Missouri Waterkeeper
- Impacts on regional water resources
- Scarcity and contamination, existing issues, and regulatory frameworks
Mike McDearmon, Central Montana Resource Council
- Big Tech is not going to police itself
- The overeager juggernauts of progress
Categories: Call To Action, Education, Events
Great Falls Rising 