Public forum to address data center impacts in Mapleton
A public forum will be held in Mapleton, North Dakota, to discuss the environmental and resource impacts of data center developments across the state. Hosted by a political candidate, the event will address water and energy consumption, and criticisms regarding the use of non-disclosure agreements in negotiations with developers.
Vern Thompson, the Democratic-NPL candidate for North Dakota agriculture commissioner, is organizing a public forum in Mapleton to address the expanding impacts of data center developments throughout North Dakota. The event, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Mapleton Community Center, will focus on data centers' consumption of local water and energy resources.
Thompson has been critical of public officials utilizing non-disclosure agreements during discussions with data center developers, asserting that North Dakota residents merit more transparency and time for planning. Environmental engineer Sandra Larson and nuclear engineer Ian Gilley are slated to present on water usage and power consumption infrastructure, respectively.
The forum is prompted by regional discussions on hyperscale development, including land acquisition efforts by Minnesota-based Geronimo Power in Durbin Township, located between Casselton and Mapleton. Organizers have extended invitations to incumbent Republican Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and representatives from Geronimo Power to attend.