South Dakota Considers Data Center Bill of Rights

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

South Dakota state legislators are considering a new Senate bill called the Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens. The bill aims to establish ground rules for building data centers in the state, following resident actions to prevent the massive facilities from coming to the area. Representative Jon Hansen of Dell Rapids has questioned why tech billionaires would need subsidies to build these facilities, and the legislation would require operators to cover electricity costs and provide transparency around water usage.

Why it matters

Data centers have become a point of contention in many communities, with residents raising concerns about their environmental impact and the use of taxpayer subsidies to attract them. This proposed legislation in South Dakota reflects growing efforts to hold data center operators more accountable and ensure local communities have a voice in their development.

The details

The new Senate bill would establish a 'Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens' to govern the construction and operation of data centers in South Dakota. Key provisions include requiring operators to cover electricity costs and provide transparency around water usage, which have been points of concern for residents opposing data center projects in the state.

• The legislation has been introduced in the current session of the South Dakota state legislature.
• There is currently no timetable on when the bill may receive a committee hearing.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The proposed Data Center Bill of Rights for Citizens will need to go through the legislative process, including potential committee hearings and votes, before it could become law.