Citizen coalition calls on Sioux Falls to enact temporary data center moratorium before final permitting of Gemini Project
A citizen coalition is calling on Sioux Falls officials to impose a temporary moratorium on building permits for large-scale data centers. The groups want new safeguards in place before the proposed Gemini Project advances, noting that the project has rezoned its land but has not yet applied for building permits.
Let Sioux Falls Vote, South Dakota for Data Center Transparency and Dakota Rural Action held a press conference urging Mayor Paul TenHaken and the Sioux Falls City Council to temporarily halt building permits for large-scale data centers. The coalition said the pause should remain until ordinances governing issues such as noise, water and other impacts are adopted and made applicable to the proposed Gemini Project.
South Dakota for Data Center Transparency founder Matthew Breyfogle said Gemini has rezoned its land but has not received building permits, creating a window for the city to act before permitting begins. Coalition leaders Amanda Kendall and Suzie Pratt said they support economic development but want enforceable protections, citing data center noise concerns in Loudoun County, Virginia, and a wastewater contamination incident in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The coalition also asked residents to sign a letter supporting the proposed moratorium.