True local control of ND data centers means neighbors write the rules, not tech lobbyists

Source Summary

As former chair of Dakota Resource Council, which works with communities facing proposed or existing data centers, I read Terry Effertz’s guest piece in the North Dakota Monitor with interest. She wrote, “We should demand transparency, genuine local input, and skepticism of proposals that don’t serve our communities.” On that point, we agree, local zoning is central to the debate over North Dakota’s future. But we disagree with her claim that, when it comes to data centers, “we’re actually doing this work.” The “we” in her guest piece includes data center industry representatives, and representatives of TechND. Although TechND’s website does not publicly list its full membership, its core champion members include Applied Digital, Core Scientific, Dakota Carrier Network, Geronimo Power, Midco and Microsoft.