Williston residents discuss data center benefits, risks at public forum
More than 80 people attended a Williston forum examining the potential benefits and risks of data centers, including their water use, electricity demand, noise and local economic effects. Speakers discussed the delayed Critical Data House project, which received approval for its master plan and preliminary subdivision plat but is now expected to begin operations between October 2028 and January 2029.
More than 80 residents attended a public forum at the Williston Research Extension Center hosted by Democratic North Dakota agriculture commissioner candidate Vern Thompson. Speakers addressed data center water consumption, power demand, infrastructure, noise, environmental oversight and potential benefits such as natural-gas use and local tax revenue. Ian Gilley, a North Dakota Department of Energy fellow, warned that rapid data center growth could strain the electrical grid without additional generation, while also explaining that newer facilities may use closed-loop cooling systems.
Environmental specialist Signe Snortland said local governments bear most responsibility for data center oversight because North Dakota has few state-level rules governing the facilities. She said Williston approved Critical Data House’s project master plan and preliminary subdivision plat in March 2025, but title-clearing litigation involving roughly 1,100 foreign investors has delayed the project, with operations now expected between October 2028 and January 2029. Thompson called for greater transparency, community benefit agreements, reclamation bonds and stronger regulation, while Williams County Commissioner Steve Kemp emphasized the potential economic benefits of data centers.