Data centers growing in prominence as November election issue in Siouxland

Data centers have emerged as a prominent issue in the upcoming November election in the Siouxland region, particularly in South Dakota, where candidates for a statewide Public Utilities Commission (PUC) position hold differing stances on their development. Democrat Frank Kloucek has pledged to actively oppose data centers and advocates for a year-long moratorium on their construction within the state. In contrast, Republican Don Haggar believes existing regulations, including the 'Data Center Citizens Bill of Rights' passed in the spring, are sufficient to manage their impact.

The 'Data Center Citizens Bill of Rights' aims to prevent data center project costs from being passed onto consumers, mandate annual water usage reporting, and ensure local community approval before a data center can be established. Concerns among Siouxlanders across the three states in the region include the impact of data centers on utility prices, water consumption, and overall quality of life. The topic gained further national attention when former President Trump posted on Truth Social that communities should embrace data centers to avoid being "backwards and poor."

Candidates for various county and legislative positions are also being questioned on their views regarding data centers. The PUC oversees utility matters, and the upcoming election will fill a position left vacant by the departing Gary Hanson, shaping the future regulatory approach to data center development in South Dakota.