Power fears spark push for data-center protections as tax rebate battle looms

Industry boosters say tech firms will pay for their own power needs, but legislators want that handshake deal written down

(Courtesy photo)

South Dakota residents will not pay higher electric bills if massive data centers arrive in the state.

That’s the promise economic development leaders and lawmakers delivered to legislators this week as they launched a public campaign to calm fears that the power-hungry server farms will drive up rates or trigger shortages.

But even the strongest backers concede the current protections are not ironclad – and new laws may be needed.

Council reaffirms airport, Dakota Mainstem water projects, adds inmate reentry, tax relief to legislative goals