Legislature hears data center testimony at Grand Farm
North Dakota lawmakers heard testimony at Grand Farm about the water and utility impacts of data center development. Geronimo Power’s planned Harmony Energy Park near Casselton is expected to use up to 540 megawatts and has drawn community concerns over farmland, water access and the project’s land-sale process.
The North Dakota Legislature’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee met at Grand Farm in Casselton to hear testimony about the effects of data centers on local water supplies and utilities. The discussion comes as Geronimo Power advances the Harmony Energy Park in Cass County, a planned development expected to use more than 540 megawatts at peak demand and include a substation, solar farm and natural gas pipeline.
Community concerns include converting prime farmland for the project and a private land sale involving former Harmony Township Supervisor Tom Roden before the township board voted on the development plans. The Harmony Township Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet Oct. 20, while the North Dakota Public Service Commission has scheduled a related meeting for Oct. 23. Cass Rural Water District General Manager Brent Brinkman said the district has sufficient water capacity but faces growing difficulty obtaining pipeline easements.