How Sioux Falls-area legislative candidates feel about data centers
Sioux Falls-area legislative candidates offered varied views on hyperscale data centers, with many opposing or expressing skepticism about their potential effects on water supplies, electricity costs, natural resources and communities. Some candidates supported stricter safeguards, while one proposed a two-year moratorium and others cited the need for more information or local control.
Sioux Falls Simplified surveyed candidates for South Dakota legislative districts in and around Sioux Falls about data center development. Many candidates said they opposed hyperscale facilities or were skeptical of them, citing concerns about water consumption, electricity demand, rate increases, environmental impacts and whether communities would receive sufficient benefits.
Several candidates referenced the data center bill of rights passed during the previous legislative session and called for additional guardrails, accountability or local decision-making. Joni Tschetter proposed a two-year moratorium to allow more study, while other candidates said support would depend on community preferences, resource protections and proof that projects would not impose costs on residents.