Lawmakers hear testimony on data center water usage, resident concerns
North Dakota lawmakers heard testimony in Wheatland about data centers’ water and electricity needs, with state officials saying local utilities currently have sufficient capacity. Residents near Geronimo Power’s proposed data center in Harmony Township raised concerns about farmland, property values and impacts on their way of life, while Applied Digital discussed water use at its existing and planned facilities.
The North Dakota Legislature’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee met at Grand Farm in Wheatland to examine water, electricity and other infrastructure issues tied to data center development. North Dakota Department of Water Resources Director Reice Haase said existing facilities have obtained water through local utilities rather than state permits, and that utilities have generally had enough capacity to serve them. Cass Rural Water Users District General Manager Brent Brinkman described the district’s application and study process for industrial customers.
Applied Digital’s data center under construction in Harwood and Geronimo Power’s proposed facility in Harmony Township have requested water from the district. Applied Digital representative Chris Swedzinski said the company’s Ellendale facility and planned Harwood site are permitted for up to 50,000 gallons per day, although the Ellendale facility uses about 2,000 gallons daily. Harmony Township residents Perry Rust and Sarah Burchill opposed the proposed Geronimo Power project over potential farmland losses, property values and land-rights concerns, while Geronimo Power Senior Director of Project Development Jay Hesse said the company was willing to work with residents and officials. Utility leaders also discussed how to serve large data center loads without harming existing customers.