Data center dilemma: Who should decide where they go in North Dakota?

North Dakota is experiencing a rapid influx of technology corporations constructing large, resource-intensive data centers in agricultural regions, with an example being the Applied Digital site in Harwood. These facilities are primarily developed to support artificial intelligence infrastructure. The swift expansion is occurring with limited public oversight, creating difficulties for local residents and government bodies as they attempt to manage the resulting infrastructure sprawl and its environmental implications. The central issue highlighted is the lack of a clear framework for decision-making regarding the placement and regulation of these developments across the state.