[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6126157,"mediaKeyId","2670688-0424ce0e25391a6e727bb59b86ad57d8","parentId",2670688,"title","Williams County approves appeal for CCMF facility after applicant outlines site, noise controls","audioSeconds",2480,"startMs",630000,"endMs",3110000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670688-0424ce0e25391a6e727bb59b86ad57d8&start=630&end=3110","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670688-0424ce0e25391a6e727bb59b86ad57d8/thumbnail_630000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6126157/Williams-County/North-Dakota/Williams-County-approves-appeal-for-CCMF-facility-after-applicant-outlines-site-noise-controls","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126157-503de3877e2ff863702c9ba478aab037/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142842&Signature=UtUTEB-coyOcbWJqpe22a9WHMZqmfJq4VPr3fIScG03FaWJn1fVDUR~ureyDtHMlrzsnkEhXDewsNajvGKJ4KyZ5kNSd2FJLkW1R2xR9S2fj3EzxCM5RH3AvJzIPFdtLU-NbwVriqLu-3UerXS~G6QqjsqKrkrp9jQLeh9J6kZMXs6EtQi5lhNFYszs-vZrDrGQy78~j2qaaQ4bN59vGrlAN2v6RPHmhHSUXEcjVNqatA3jsNjojcYYlgpC40ZIy5SK38V4b1AG58BX0ZcAWV1mRRu6rk-QtxkPbOfotYTbki0MwREyMyp4j5cKLtzvpNUVnvNKXaE9VjfqaLHlF5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williams County, ND","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Williams County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve an appeal that allows an applicant to move forward with permitting for a proposed CCMF facility near Drive Fork Township, the board recorded.

The approval lets the applicant advance to the county’s conditional‑use‑permit (CUP) process; commissioners said specific design, noise mitigation and reclamation requirements will be addressed in that subsequent review.

Applicant representative Scott told commissioners the project would sit on an existing 80‑acre parcel south of MWEC substations and that the company plans to subdivide a 25‑acre parcel for phase 1. He said proximity to existing transmission and cooperation with MWEC were key reasons for choosing the site and that the company expects to build an on‑site substation as it expands.

Scott described the facility’s operations as a highly flexible electrical load that can provide demand‑response services for the grid. “We can turn our load off within seconds, under 10 seconds,” Scott said, describing the operation’s ability to reduce draw during grid events. He also discussed equipment choices aimed at lowering community noise: the company plans to use liquid‑cooled servers paired with industrial dry (adiabatic) coolers, which the applicant said generate a lower pitch and roughly “25, 30 percent lower decibels” than older, air‑cooled facilities. Scott said the project’s peak noise at the equipment source would be about 70 decibels and that measurements at roughly 1,000 feet were “close to about 40, 45” decibels.

On site scale, Scott said the initial phase would include about a dozen large cooling units at roughly 2.5 megawatts each (about 30 megawatts total). He said a full build‑out to about 100 megawatts would depend on a power study with MWEC and could require roughly 50 similar coolers. For jobs, Scott cited an industry rule of thumb of roughly two employees per megawatt, estimating about 15 permanent jobs at 30 megawatts and about 50 at 100 megawatts, while noting those figures were approximate.

Residents and neighbors spoke at the hearing. Darryl Verchstrom, who identified himself as living within a mile of the proposed facility, asked the county to require a land survey because he said the applicant’s distance measurements used roadway mileage rather than straight‑line distance: “I live more than a mile away,” he said and asked for the survey to be completed in writing before any final votes. John Wipasnick asked about fire mitigation and liability insurance. Kathy Walton played a 30‑second audio clip and said the proposal “didn’t sound like there were any downsides” in the presentation and cautioned commissioners that residents’ real experience could differ.

Other commenters urged that new facilities be sited in consolidated industrial areas rather than scattered across farmland. Several commissioners echoed that neighborhood outreach, township meetings and conditions in the CUP process would be the appropriate place to nail down mitigation, reclamation and community protections. One commissioner said township meetings with neighbors should be the next step before detailed approvals.

On the motion to approve the appeal for the CCMF facility (the motion referenced battery storage in the motion language), the board recorded the roll call: Bo — Yes; Chris — Yes; Barry — Yes; Corey — Yes. The chair announced the motion carried.

Next steps are for the applicant to proceed through the county’s CUP process, complete required studies and meet with the township and neighbors as part of the permitting review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williams County Board of County Commissioners - Feb. 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Williams County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to allow an applicant to proceed toward a conditional‑use permit for a proposed CCMF facility near Drive Fork Township after the developer presented site, technology and noise‑mitigation plans.","taxTitle","Williams County, North Dakota","taxId",58404,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126146,"Commissioners approve hire of staff surveyor position",0,4099000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670688-0424ce0e25391a6e727bb59b86ad57d8&start=4099&end=4099","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670688-0424ce0e25391a6e727bb59b86ad57d8/thumbnail_4099000.jpg","/articles/6126146/Williams-County/North-Dakota/Commissioners-approve-hire-of-staff-surveyor-position","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126146-23347f9cc9f1fe20bf271cb9c8ed9cad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142842&Signature=RFaupldrwJcw2qr~XPO9datb1zxR9TIa9PlaKWPMG5j2mZKVFHrSU02kVPZVk~pyR4qLbqfySSB6x0uiideAKdv22~TePEcon1GjLjb6nOTUtpnqgDJOxivGt0GOr-BK4~lMB1n~yUz7EPvIZ6aF2i19W6W6exe~TW3lV0OVmHjlJFXylHWxb-1~URn~dA31xR2JdifnUw600ATi-hN6z36V7CToRBe77ngBPhNK8cWoO~Qen3dwmamkl7Z0MqZ2sfRvWLu2YwrZbcSYKkU1LMUYjP4nc4sKOuyUU9SWoXev5ozjWkPK5YnMQKrScGE6G7X~TXC9whGBZfpeDe28Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williams County Board of County Commissioners approved filling a staff surveyor position that had been authorized earlier but held vacant during the winter and other priorities.

Planning staff told the board the position is not new but was delayed; the board voted to fill the role so surveying work can resume as weather and workloads permit. The vote was taken by roll call and carried unanimously.

The planning director said the position had been previously approved and that the department delayed hiring because of seasonal field conditions and other workload timing; the board’s approval restores the position to active recruitment.","The Board approved filling a previously authorized staff surveyor position that had been delayed; the move restores an earlier-approved job to the department’s roster, the planning official said.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6126152,"County tables Critical Data House appeal after applicants seek time to revise site plans",687,3006000,3693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2670688-0424ce0e25391a6e727bb59b86ad57d8&start=3006&end=3693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2670688-0424ce0e25391a6e727bb59b86ad57d8/thumbnail_3006000.jpg","/articles/6126152/Williams-County/North-Dakota/County-tables-Critical-Data-House-appeal-after-applicants-seek-time-to-revise-site-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6126152-ea7a57eabd8bb6ac864ec7cb0eec727e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771142842&Signature=nA5hfiA6BTO~8GikHzksiLWxAJBTLLAb1vSlpIqKUHuU7ZYiaYJtF9aI6NKOfQIiwAtvEIVNj-9xFDWkmOmENxD9CZOv2dFpbBrQelzqB~-8nIj4~UtAckPrtXv7IBTQXy318jktgUrRuKh2dfU7sbDbn8NcWnGOTL446156Sc2UQJPC7HbcW2sUgpFuQL3dgxNK4qCKCNGwd9hvMWVGnbR0vBFB8yQbcYajE4OPxLSlJDn2vsOcmW1usr9UjhzcwdFvc0nnjKIbW4z5VbtLMdiq-cJjdRwIRoJXC4iOFNezd~iaN2Mw1HgJVY7Ikuxg448cMAjTp3QGwEMriLy~eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williams County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to table indefinitely an appeal by Critical Data House after company representatives asked for additional time to revise site plans and consult with township officials and nearby landowners.

Attorney Dale Haugen and company representatives told the board the applicant is evaluating alternative land options that could meet county setback requirements without an appeal. The applicant asked the board to “permanently table” the case so the company can complete township meetings, neighbor outreach and updated noise and logistics studies before returning with a consolidated application.

Chris Harden, identified in the hearing as a company representative, said Critical Data House is pursuing cloud services sites in North Dakota and that the firm is studying several land variables so the county would receive a vetted project plan. He said the company and invited delegates had toured facilities in other states to understand construction and noise characteristics. Dale Haugen asked the board to postpone the hearing so the group can meet with township officials and directly with neighbors before formal CUP submissions.

Several residents urged consolidation of data centers into industrial zones rather than placing facilities on farmland. Kathy Cartier said the proposed area is “farmland” and wildlife habitat and urged the county not to scatter facilities across agricultural land. Charles Cartier referenced earlier denials for certain structures on ag land and said the county should treat ag land differently.

A representative for a private landowner (Crowley Fleck law firm) also spoke in support of tabling the matter.

After discussion the board voted to table the appeal indefinitely. The roll call was Bo — Yes; Chris — Yes; Barry — Yes; Corey — Yes, and the motion carried.

The applicant said it will hold township meetings and neighbor outreach and return with revised plans if necessary.","Commissioners voted unanimously to table an appeal by Critical Data House after the applicant asked for time to re‑subdivide potential sites and hold township and neighbor meetings; public commenters urged industrial consolidation and protection of farmland.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Williams County approves appeal for CCMF facility after applicant outlines site, noise controls

Commissioners approve hire of staff surveyor position

County tables Critical Data House appeal after applicants seek time to revise site plans