North Dakota urged to call special session on data center regulations
An opinion piece advocates for North Dakota Governor Armstrong to call a special legislative session to address the rapid expansion of AI data centers. The author raises concerns about data centers' high water usage potentially draining local aquifers, noting that Barnes County has already enacted a six-month moratorium. It emphasizes the urgency of state-level regulation to protect farmers and rural communities before the next legislative session in 2027.
Carter Hass, in an opinion piece published in the Grand Forks Herald, has urged North Dakota Governor Armstrong to convene a special legislative session to address the unchecked expansion of AI data centers across the state. Hass highlights the severe environmental and infrastructural challenges posed by these facilities, specifically citing their consumption of millions of gallons of water daily and the risk of depleting vital local aquifers that farmers depend on for crops and livestock. The article notes that Barnes County has already implemented a six-month moratorium on AI data centers, with other local governments in North Dakota following suit to block construction in their communities.
Hass argues that while local actions are important, the North Dakota Legislature must establish statewide standards and guardrails to preserve local control and protect rural communities. Waiting until the next regular legislative session in January 2027 would be too late, given the unprecedented rate of AI expansion and the likely difficulty of adequately addressing the issue amidst over 1,000 other bills. A special session, with its unlimited time frame and focused agenda, is presented as the necessary solution to develop comprehensive policymaking for data center regulation, safeguarding North Dakota's agricultural interests and critical resources.