South Dakota, known for its vast landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is once again at the center of a heated debate at Carnegie Town Hall in Sioux Falls. This time, the controversy revolves around a proposed rezoning and preliminary subdivision plan intended for a new data center project. The project, spearheaded by Gemini Data Center SD LLC, has faced significant backlash from the local community, with concerns primarily focused on environmental impacts and the broader implications of emerging technologies.
Kelsey Hart, a concerned resident of Sioux Falls, was among the first to voice his apprehensions at the public meeting. Hart passionately discussed the potential climate impact of the planned data center, emphasizing the need for immediate environmental stewardship to protect South Dakota’s natural resources.
Kelsey Hart Sioux Falls
“We are actually discussing the thermal limit of our future,” Hart declared. “We are at a point where neither the natural world nor our digital ambitions will survive without immediate radical stewardship.”
The grassroots opposition in Sioux Falls is part of a broader national trend, as reported by Data Center Watch. The project, a part of AI security consultancy 10a Labs, highlights increasing community, political, and regulatory disruptions to data center developments. In fact, between April and June, the organization tracked 20 proposals valued at $98 billion across 11 states that were blocked or delayed due to local opposition and state-level pushback.
The Sioux Falls city council ultimately sided with the city’s recommendation for light industrial zoning for the proposed site, a 164-acre property situated approximately one mile south of the Veterans Parkway exit for Interstate 90. However, residents quickly filed a petition to collect signatures that could bring the rezoning decision to a public vote, emphasizing the community’s determination to steer the future of their city.
Among those concerned is Keeghan Paulson, a young Sioux Falls resident. She expressed her fears regarding the broader social effects of advanced technologies like generative artificial intelligence, which she believes could negatively impact her career in music photography.
Keeghan Paulson Sioux Falls
“I just see it as very anti-humanity,” Paulson noted. “This machine takes what humanity makes and bastardizes it. It takes our energy and dreams and creates something that could stifle creativity and livelihoods.”
In South Dakota, the issue of data centers extends beyond rezoning. A bill is currently pending before the South Dakota Legislature that would grant sales tax exemptions to qualifying data centers on equipment purchases, adding another layer to the debate.
The meeting at Carnegie Town Hall, attended by a diverse cross-section of the community, highlighted key concerns such as energy use, climate impact, water use, and noise levels. These discussions underscored the need for a balance between technological advancement and environmental sustainability in the state.
As Mayor Paul TenHaken pointed out during the assembly, “There’s a lot of emotion here,” acknowledging the palpable tension surrounding the decision.
Mayor Paul TenHaken
The data center resistance in Sioux Falls is a microcosm of a national debate where environmental concerns and technological advancements frequently clash. As the discussion continues, the people of South Dakota are determined to have their voices heard, safeguarding their land and livelihoods for the future.
The outcome of this debate will likely set a precedent, not just for Sioux Falls, but for other communities grappling with similar issues across the state and the country.