McKenzie County approves Data Center regulations
McKenzie County commissioners approved new data center regulations and noise mitigation requirements on Oct. 6. The action came despite a petition with roughly 1,100 signatures seeking a 12-month moratorium and independent studies of the impacts of large-scale developments.
The McKenzie County Board of Commissioners approved a 28-page data center ordinance and noise mitigation requirements after months of public meetings. The rules cover facilities using at least one megawatt of electricity, including digital asset mining operations, and establish requirements for setbacks, noise studies, emergency planning, environmental protections, security and decommissioning.
The ordinance includes a one-mile noise setback from sensitive properties, limits on wastewater discharge, setbacks from state waters and potable-water wellheads, and disclosures of water consumption and power sources. Residents had submitted a petition seeking a 12-month moratorium, independent impact studies and additional community forums, citing concerns about agriculture, water supplies, electricity use and rural quality of life. Commissioners acknowledged the petition but have not scheduled formal consideration of the requested moratorium, and no confirmed data center applications currently exist in the county.