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North Dakota lawmakers advance framework to regulate data centers with electricity, water, and decommissioning requirements

Updated Oct 23, 12:12 PM CT. Every fact below links to the source that reported it.

What the primary sources show

North Dakota legislators discussed ways to regulate artificial intelligence and data centers at a Capitol committee meeting. [KFYR-TV] [Bismarck Source]
Rep. Anna Novak presented proposed legislation focusing on three areas: preventing electricity costs from shifting to ratepayers, requiring closed-loop water cooling systems, and mandating decommissioning plans for data centers. [Bismarck Source]
The bill would establish a bring your own power principle to protect residential electricity ratepayers from cost increases caused by data center operations. [Bismarck Source]
Closed-loop water cooling systems are required under the proposal in response to citizen concerns about water use, particularly following recent drought conditions. [Bismarck Source]
Some lawmakers questioned singling out data centers for decommissioning requirements when other large facilities like ethanol plants do not face similar mandates, though committee chair Rep. Jonathan Warrey supported the measure due to rapid industry changes and typical 15-year lease agreements. [Bismarck Source]
County commissioners expressed particular concern about long-term decommissioning problems, and Novak warned that state inaction could lead to more stringent local requirements. [Bismarck Source]

When will the proposed legislation be introduced in the legislative session?
What specific bonding amounts or financial security requirements would apply to data center decommissioning?
How would the state enforce the bring your own power principle and verify closed-loop water system compliance?

KFYR-TV: KFYR-TV framed the discussion as part of broader efforts to regulate industries broadly rather than single out specific sectors, quoting Sen. Jose Castaneda on the need to regulate all industries based on their effect on the power grid. Read it → · Ads
Bismarck Source: Bismarck Source provided detailed analysis of Rep. Novak's three-part legislative framework with specific provisions, rationale behind each requirement, and documented disagreement among lawmakers about whether data centers should be singled out. Read it →
Bismarck Tribune: Bismarck Tribune identified the interim committee's role in setting a course for the Legislature to confront challenges of regulating AI systems and their supporting data center infrastructure. Read it → · Paywall

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