Data center opposition meets North Dakota transparency debate
North Dakota legislators are preparing to discuss transparency regarding data center development, including potential restrictions on non-disclosure agreements, amidst growing public opposition. Morton County is one of several areas in the state that has enacted moratoriums on new data center applications due to concerns about power supply and developer practices. A special session is set for September 2nd to address these issues.
North Dakota lawmakers are preparing to address transparency issues surrounding data center development, following a recent poll indicating widespread public opposition to these facilities. A Heatmap News survey found 75% of Americans oppose data centers in their communities.
Holly Burch, a retiree in Morton County, highlighted concerns over developers targeting retired or absentee landowners, often using non-disclosure agreements. She noted instances where neighbors are suddenly faced with massive construction. Morton County is one of several North Dakota counties that have enacted moratoriums on new data center applications and are developing new ordinances.
State legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Sen. David Hogue of Minot, will convene on September 2nd to potentially restrict non-disclosure agreements between local governments and developers, advocating for open permitting and zoning decisions. Industry advocates, however, warn that strict regulations could hinder valuable projects.
A lack of centralized state oversight means data center projects rely on local zoning and permitting. Power consumption is a significant concern, with Burch, who has a background in electrical generation, questioning the reliability of the power supply for rapid data center development. North Dakota currently has three data centers under construction and 12 planned projects.