Mercer County officials plan to lift data center moratorium
The newly formed Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee held its first meeting in North Dakota to study the impacts and economic opportunities of AI and data centers. Separately, Mercer County commissioners are considering lifting a 12-month moratorium on data center development, which has prompted opposition from landowners concerned about a potential influx of projects. The commissioners plan to lift the moratorium soon as they finalize a new ordinance.
The newly established Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee convened its initial meeting in Bismarck, North Dakota. Chaired by Jonathon Warrey, the committee has a mandate to study the broad impacts of AI, including its effects on children, machine control, and the economic opportunities and implications of data centers. The committee is currently in a fact-finding phase and made no decisions or votes at this inaugural meeting.
Meanwhile, Mercer County commissioners are deliberating on lifting a 12-month moratorium on data center development, which was initially imposed in March. This consideration has met with significant resistance from local landowners. Michael Berg, a Mercer County resident, expressed concerns that lifting the moratorium would signal the county's openness to various development projects, including data centers, solar, wind, and nuclear plants.
Mercer County commissioners have indicated their intention to lift the moratorium within the next two weeks, coinciding with the finalization of a new ordinance. Opposing landowners are requesting a two-week notice for any future meetings pertaining to this decision.