Minnehaha, Lincoln counties look to shape regulations for large data centers
Minnehaha and Lincoln counties in South Dakota are developing local regulations for large data centers following public concerns about power and water usage. Minnehaha County is beginning to draft its rules, while Lincoln County is scheduling joint meetings with the Sioux Falls City Council to address these issues. This local regulatory push comes after South Dakota passed a new state law requiring data centers to cover utility costs and face water usage scrutiny.
Minnehaha and Lincoln counties in South Dakota are actively addressing the development of large data centers within their jurisdictions, focusing on creating new local regulations. This initiative follows public concerns about data center power and water usage. The Minnehaha County Planning Commission is currently drafting specific regulations after a meeting where residents vocalized their concerns.
Similarly, Lincoln County is grappling with these issues and has scheduled a joint meeting with the Sioux Falls City Council for October. This meeting, which will include representatives from utilities, residents, and the data center industry, was set after testimony received during an earlier joint session in August. These local efforts complement a recently passed South Dakota state law that mandates data centers cover their own utility costs and face scrutiny from local water providers regarding water consumption. Critics frequently highlight electricity costs and water usage as primary environmental concerns associated with data center development.