Durbin Township Board unanimously passes 1-year data center moratorium
The Durbin Township Board in Cass County, North Dakota, unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on industrial-scale developments, including data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities and renewable energy projects. The action follows Geronimo Power's proposed Harmony Energy Park and land purchase agreements covering about 934 acres in the township.
The Durbin Township Board unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on industrial-scale development, including data centers, cryptocurrency mining facilities, solar and wind projects, and battery storage systems. The board acted after learning that Geronimo Power had signed agreements to potentially purchase about 934 acres for a data center-related development connected to its proposed Harmony Energy Park.
At a special meeting in Mapleton, roughly 40 residents raised concerns about farmland loss, sound enforcement, livestock impacts and the township's authority under state law. Township attorney Sarah Wear said the moratorium would provide time to review zoning ordinances and could later be extended or shortened through the proper process. The affected land is currently zoned agricultural, meaning a data center would require a future rezoning vote.