Durbin Township makes plans for public hearing about data centers
Durbin Township, North Dakota, is planning a public hearing for early October to address local concerns about a potential data center proposal from Geronimo Power. Residents are worried about noise, electricity, and resource use, while the township acknowledges its zoning ordinances are outdated and plans to modify them.
The Durbin Township Board in Mapleton, North Dakota, convened an annual budget meeting where discussion quickly shifted to a potential data center proposal. Residents voiced significant concerns regarding the project's impact, specifically citing noise, electricity consumption, and other resource limitations. Board Supervisor Andy Sprenger acknowledged the board's limited information, stating, "We don't know anything more than you."
The proposal involves Minnesota-based Geronimo Power, which has expressed interest in purchasing nearly 934 acres of land within the township for a data center. Board Chair Keith Gohdes indicated that the township has not directly engaged with Geronimo Power but is preparing to respond to a formal proposal. He also noted that Durbin Township's zoning ordinances, last updated in 1991, are outdated and may need modification.
In response to resident requests, the board tentatively scheduled a public hearing for Wednesday, October 7, to gather more public input and plan a course of action. This comes after Geronimo Power was denied a permit for a data center in Nobles County, Minnesota, earlier this year, and is also reportedly considering a similar project in Harmony Township, North Dakota.