Geronimo Power CEO offers six-month data center pause ahead of disputed Harmony Township moratorium vote
Harmony Township canceled hearings and votes on proposed 24-month energy moratoria after opponents challenged the legality of the proceedings, citing inadequate public notice and alleged open-meeting violations. Geronimo Power CEO Blake Nixon offered to pause the company’s data center application for six months instead of imposing a two-year ban.
Harmony Township canceled planned public hearings and votes on six proposed 24-month moratoria after attorneys challenged the proceedings under North Dakota open-government and zoning laws. The notices were published 13 days before the meeting, two days short of the statutory requirement for township zoning restrictions, and a formal complaint was filed with the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office alleging improper denial of public comment and unrecorded votes.
Geronimo Power CEO Blake Nixon offered to pause the company’s data center application for six months to give the township time to study the project. Opponents, including attorney Joel Fremstad, have continued to challenge the township’s handling of the issue and its legal expenses, while the proposed moratoria would also cover solar, wind, battery storage, natural gas generation and electric transmission projects.