Geronimo Power CEO touts transparency amid scrutiny of proposed data center
Geronimo Power CEO Blake Nixon is seeking community support for the proposed Harmony Energy Park data center in Harmony Township, North Dakota. The Harmony Township Board is considering a 24-month moratorium on data centers amid scrutiny over zoning changes and a purchase agreement involving former board chair Tom Roden.
Geronimo Power CEO and President Blake Nixon said the company wants an open dialogue with residents as it pursues the Harmony Energy Park data center project in Harmony Township, approximately 15 miles northwest of West Fargo. The company submitted its application on Sept. 15 and plans to hold a public forum covering data centers, power infrastructure and the project proposal.
The project faces scrutiny because the property owner, former Harmony Township Board Chair Tom Roden, participated in zoning ordinance changes that could make data center approval easier without disclosing a purchase agreement with Geronimo Power, according to the article. The township board is considering a 24-month data center moratorium, while neighboring Durbin Township is also considering a moratorium. Nixon defended the project, citing nearby power infrastructure, potential jobs and tax revenue, and said only about one-quarter of the land would be used for data center facilities.