Applied Digital updates commissioners on data‑center work; residents press noise, water and decommissioning concerns

Applied Digital representatives updated the Oliver County Board of Commissioners on construction readiness for a proposed data‑center campus while residents and technical experts raised questions about sound, water use and long‑term decommissioning obligations.

Company update: Dave Nuring (Applied Digital) said the firm has selected Valor Contracting as general contractor and DEEC for earthwork; geotechnical borings and stormwater pollution prevention practices (SWPPP) are in place, and the company is recruiting locally, including a planned community engagement coordinator. Nuring said the team will provide a site plan and foundation engineering to the county in advance of a July meeting and is coordinating road‑use and DOT signage with county highway staff.

Resident concerns and expert input: A number of residents and a speaker identifying as an industrial hygienist raised concerns about tonal noise (low‑frequency hum), infrasound, lighting, and cumulative environmental effects, and urged county requirements for baseline and modeled sound studies, limits on groundwater withdrawal and escrowed decommissioning funds. Tammy Clark, an occupational and environmental health practitioner who addressed the board, said she was urging extra safeguards and called for siting away from residences and livestock.

Technical response: Dr. Chris Olsson, an environmental health scientist who has testified in regulatory proceedings, told the board that modern, large‑scale data centers generate most of their site noise from chillers, roof fans and substations, and that third‑party baseline sound monitoring and C‑weighted and A‑weighted modeling by a board‑certified acoustician is an appropriate way to assess community impact. He and company engineers recommended a third‑party review of modeled sound projections and said infrasound exposure from data centers is typically well below levels that produce physiological harm. Applied Digital said it will submit baseline sound monitoring, modeled noise projections, DEQ permitting information related to air emissions and fuel backups, and an emergency response plan for local fire‑department coordination.

Water and roads: Company counsel said the proposed design uses a closed‑loop glycol system (which requires periodic topping up) and that Applied Digital is coordinating with the city and state agencies about any temporary municipal water purchases for dust control and about potential road improvements and easements paid for by the company.

What the county asked for: Commissioners requested the complete site plan, the foundation and sound studies before making permit decisions; they asked staff to circulate Applied Digital’s engineering data ahead of the next planning & zoning meeting and asked company representatives to consult with DOT about road signage and with county engineering on haul‑route and road‑improvement requirements.

Quote: "We will provide the site plan and foundation details ahead of your July meeting," a company attorney said. "We want to be responsive to the county on engineering and community engagement." A commissioner said, "If noise studies or other evidence show impacts, we will expect mitigation and binding commitments."