Data centers need more examination, not reflexive rejection

I just got a press release that says 19 Democratic legislative candidates have taken the Data Center Accountability Pledge (D-CAP), committing themselves to taking action against data center expansion in South Dakota. You can find the signers in the link at the end of the pledge below. The letter itself was signed by Amanda Potter, running for the House of Representatives in District 9 (Sioux Falls/Hartford) and Jeff Shelton, running for the Senate in District 32 (Rapid City).

Here’s the letter:

Sioux Falls/Rapid City, SD – August 24, 2026 – A group of 19 legislative candidates from across South Dakota have formally signed the Data Center Accountability Pledge (D-CAP), committing to taking action on data center expansion in the state and pledging to protect “consumer, communities, and the environment” if elected into office.

“This pledge represents a meaningful commitment to action, not just rhetoric,” said Amanda Potter, South Dakota House of Representatives candidate from District 9 (western Sioux Falls and Hartford). “By signing it, these candidates are signaling that data centers will be one of their foremost priorities in the 2027 legislative session. Furthermore, we will make sure information about the actions we take during session is easily accessible by the average South Dakotan, not hidden away in the legislative record.”

Jeff Shelton, South Dakota Senate candidate from District 32 (north and central Rapid City), said, “Many of the candidates who have signed this pledge have spent the last several weeks knocking on doors and listening to voters in their communities. In these conversations with the neighbors and relatives we hope to represent, it’s clear that data centers aren’t wanted in South Dakota. If elected, we intend to show South Dakotans that we hear their message loud and clear. Through commitments ranging from legislation action to rejection of special interest money, we stand committed to protecting our constituents.”

Both Potter and Shelton encourage other candidates throughout the state, no matter the party, to sign the pledge and commit to voters that they will keep their best interests at the forefront. The key commitments of the pledge are:

● Day zero action: Candidates pledge to begin work on protections for South Dakotans and their communities immediately upon election, before the 2027 legislative session begins.

● Rejection of financial interests: Candidates pledge that they have rejected and will reject campaign donations or other support from groups aligned with data centers. Candidates will not support sales tax waivers or other tax incentives to promote data center construction.

● Ongoing transparency during session: Candidates will provide clear communication regarding any legislative action regarding data centers on the D-CAP website (www.dcapsd.org).

● Defense of local control: Candidates will oppose any bills that weaken local governments’ ability to regulate, pause or ban data center development in their own communities.

Read the D-CAP Pledge and review candidate signees here.

I’m neither categorically for nor against data centers, but the pledge’s commitment “to work on protections of South Dakotans and their communities immediately upon election” even before the legislative session begins in January suggests a sweeping, generalized hostility to data centers. That impression is supported by the release’s opening statement, in which the group commits itself “to taking action against data center expansion in South Dakota.” 

I have to take exception to a broadside like that. I’ve done enough examination of the data center expansion issue to know that some have succeeded and that others are nothing but a headache. There are more than 2,000 data centers in the United States. Focusing on the failures and smearing the whole concept as a result is not sound leadership.

As far as our state is concerned, we certainly should examine and debate each project that comes calling. But “taking action” against “expansion” as a starting position? No way. That gives an impression of closed-mindedness, which is a bad message to send to the rest of the world and is not exactly what we want to see in the representatives we send to Pierre. 

John Tsitrian is a businessman and writer from the Black Hills. He was a weekly columnist for the Rapid City Journal for 20 years. His articles and commentary have also appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Denver Post and The Omaha World-Herald. Tsitrian served in the Marines for three years (1966-69), including a 13-month tour of duty as a radioman in Vietnam. Republish with permission.    

Photo:  public domain, wikimedia commons

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