Data Center Signal is tracking 2 clips about Basin Electric data center developments across 2 states, including ND, SD.
Basin Electric and NextEra Energy hosted an open house in Mercer County, North Dakota, to discuss a proposed hyperscale data center and gas power plant project. Local residents voiced significant concerns about the project's scale, environmental impact, and a perceived lack of transparency from the developers, leading to ongoing community debate.
Hyperscale data centers are raising concerns in the upper Midwest due to their high electricity and water consumption, particularly among rural residents. The South Dakota Legislature recently rejected a bill requiring additional permits for data centers near neighboring cities, following local opposition regarding the Gemini Data Center near Brandon. Sioux Valley Energy is implementing special rates and processes to ensure data centers pay their fair share for energy infrastructure.