Port: Central North Dakota county commissioner abruptly resigns over hostile data center debate

Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger has abruptly resigned, citing intense public backlash and hostility over a data center moratorium enacted by the county. During a Tuesday, April 14, commission meeting where the February-passed moratorium was under discussion, Berger interrupted proceedings to have a statement read, expressing that "humanity and civil discourse have been replaced by malice" and that he had been subjected to personal attacks, profanity, and baseless accusations. Berger, who has served the city of Center and Oliver County for over 50 years, stated that the "cost of this position far outweighs the work" and that "when good people are driven out of public service by hostility and slander, the entire community loses." Oliver County enacted its six-month moratorium on data centers on February 16, with neighboring Mercer County passing a one-year moratorium on March 4. Applied Digital is linked to a potential project in Oliver County, while NextEra Energy has been associated with a possible project in Mercer County. Following Berger's departure, State's Attorney Patrick Waters echoed concerns about the hostile tone of the debate, not only regarding data centers but also carbon capture projects. Waters highlighted the significant amount of work involved in guiding commissioners on these complex issues, which he felt went beyond the scope of his part-time position. The legality of the moratorium itself is a central point of contention, with discussions on whether a blanket blockade on business development might constitute a legal taking, potentially incurring liabilities for the county taxpayers. North Dakota's energy industry generally supports data center projects as they provide a market for the state's substantial electrical output, particularly from coal. However, concerns exist that these projects could lead to increased power prices for residents. The author, Rob Port, contextualizes the situation within a broader trend of aggressive populism impacting North Dakota politics, suggesting that the goal is often to drive out opposition rather than engage in persuasive debate.