North Dakota Senator Proposes Data Center Construction Moratorium

North Dakota State Senator Tim Mathern proposed a moratorium on the construction of data centers across the state. Mathern intends to introduce the measure during a special legislative session called by Governor Kelly Armstrong, which was originally convened to address a public health crisis involving kratom.

The proposal follows similar calls for a moratorium from Vern Thompson, a Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner. The push for a pause comes amid local tensions, including criticism from Democratic legislative candidate Signe Snortland regarding Stark Energy's lack of public communication about a proposed project in Mandan.

Governor Kelly Armstrong expressed skepticism toward the proposal, arguing that a moratorium would remove local control from the permitting process. The measure faces significant legislative hurdles, as leadership has already created an interim committee to study AI and data centers before the regular January session. Furthermore, any legislation passed would likely face a gubernatorial veto, and the brief duration of the special session makes a legislative override improbable.