Data Center Signal is tracking 13 clips about Stark Power data center developments across 2 states, including NE, ND.
The Lancaster County Data Center Task Force held its first meeting to examine data center siting, size, setbacks and potential impacts on energy, water, noise and nearby communities. The meeting followed a pause in plans for a county moratorium as officials and community members consider broader data center regulations.
The Hallam Village Board approved zoning for a 35-megawatt data center at Monolith Materials’ Olive Creek facility, allowing Monolith and Crusoe Technologies to proceed with the project. Residents raised concerns about water use, noise and fire safety, while the construction timeline remains unknown.
More than 560 acres northwest of Lincoln, Nebraska, are under consideration for a potential data center development involving Coffee Grounds Data LLC and Arevia Power. This comes as both Lancaster County and the state of Nebraska have established task forces to study and develop regulations for the rapidly expanding data center industry. These task forces will address concerns related to land use, electricity, water, and infrastructure demands.
Hallam's planning commission has unanimously recommended approval for a special use permit requested by Monolith, which plans to add a 35-megawatt data center and expand carbon black production. The project, a partnership with Crusoe Energy, faces resident concerns over water usage, sound, and land use, despite a proposed community benefit agreement. The Hallam Village board will cast the final vote on October 5.
Lancaster County has halted plans to vote on a data center moratorium, opting instead to form two task forces to study data centers and industrial zoning. This decision follows a proposal for a zoning code text amendment by Bold Nebraska that would allow data centers with specific restrictions. The move comes amid concerns over electricity and water use from potential data center projects by companies like Stark Power and Monolith.
North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong is opposing a bipartisan bill, Senate Bill 2406, which aims to restrict public officials from signing nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) with developers, including data center companies. The governor argues the bill, without his proposed amendment, could hinder economic development and that existing open records laws are sufficient. Supporters of the bill contend it adds necessary enforcement mechanisms and transparency.
Data center developers are attempting to acquire over 1500 acres of land near Hallam, Nebraska, offering between $40,000-$50,000 per acre to landowners. This has caused division and anger among local residents, with one farmer, Darin Schwaninger, refusing to sell his inherited farmland.
Lancaster County Commissioner Matt Schulte introduced a 12-month moratorium on data center development during a County Board meeting. The proposed moratorium aims to allow the county to develop appropriate regulations for data centers and ensure development matches county needs. The board will address the proposal in two weeks.
Mandan city leaders approved a new data center ordinance imposing restrictions like setback requirements and noise limits, following a lengthy public meeting with community input. The approval came after a planning and zoning commissioner resigned, citing family commitments.
A member of the Mandan Planning and Zoning Commission, Will Gardner, resigned prior to a meeting where an ordinance regulating data center development was amended. Stark Power's proposal to build a data center near schools in Mandan has sparked public concern. The Mandan City Commission will now vote on the draft ordinance.
A proposed data center by Stark Power about five miles north of downtown Mandan, North Dakota, is drawing significant concern from residents. The main issue is the project's close proximity to local schools, which has sparked opposition as it moves through the early stages of city planning and approval processes.
Stark Power held its first public open house in Mandan, North Dakota, to address residents' concerns about a proposed data center project north of the city. Residents raised questions about potential impacts on noise, water use, infrastructure, and safety, particularly regarding nearby homes and schools. The company stated the project is still in early design stages, and locals are awaiting concrete answers.
A data center developer, Sagebrush Infrastructure Partners LLC (acquired by Stark Power), has signed purchase option agreements for land near Mandan, North Dakota. The potential development faces early community opposition due to concerns about environmental impact, power grid, and water resources. Mandan is in the process of drafting a new data center zoning ordinance, while Morton County has clarified its ordinance would not apply to this site.