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South Dakota lawmakers split on data center controls as compromise bills advance
Summary
Lawmakers debated moratoriums, decommissioning costs and local control for large data centers; a pair of compromise bills survived early cuts — a GOED reinvestment certainty measure and a Senate "data center" bill of rights — while critics warned about grid impacts and county zoning gaps.
Pierre — State lawmakers spent part of the week debating how much oversight and protection to require for large data-center projects, highlighting competing priorities between economic development and local stewardship.
At issue were several measures introduced this session after public concern about land use, water consumption and electricity demand. An unnamed House minority leader from District 10 said a short moratorium bill (House Bill "13 01") did not clear committee but was intended as a pause to allow study of long-term impacts. "It's about understanding large, and long term impacts to our power grid, our water usage, land and local taxpayers," the representative said.
Senate and House members acknowledged the economic…
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