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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Davy Crockett" data-source="post: 481932" data-attributes="member: 367">will Harwood ND AI center make local homeowners electricity prices rise ?Utility officials and the developer state that the Harwood AI data center will not cause electricity prices to rise for local homeowners. In fact, they argue it could help stabilize or even lower rates by spreading fixed utility costs across a larger base of users. [ATTACH=full]82929[/ATTACH]InForum +4Key Arguments for Rate Stability<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Fixed Cost Sharing: Large energy users like data centers pay a significant share of the utility's fixed infrastructure costs (transmission lines, substations). By adding this massive load, the <a href="https://casscountyelectric.com/data-center" target="_blank">Cass County Electric Cooperative</a> can spread these expenses over more "units" of electricity, potentially reducing the burden on residential members.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Infrastructure Funding: The developer, Applied Digital, is responsible for paying for all power infrastructure specifically needed for the facility.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Proven Track Record: A similar Applied Digital facility in Ellendale, ND, reportedly saved ratepayers over $5 million in 2023 and 2024 by utilizing infrastructure more efficiently.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Backup Generation: The center will have complete backup diesel generation, allowing it to go offline during "max gen events" (extreme grid stress) so it does not compete with residents for power during shortages. [ATTACH=full]82930[/ATTACH]InForum +6</li> </ul>Counter-Arguments and Risks<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Market Pressures: While the data center itself may not directly cause a hike, utility leaders have noted that rates could still rise due to independent factors like inflation, rising labor costs, and the need to replace aging power plants.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Grid Strain Concerns: Some residents and critics argue that the sheer scale of the center's demand (approximately 280 megawatts, or roughly 20% of the state's production) could eventually strain the regional grid, leading to higher long-term infrastructure costs.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">National Trends: On a broader scale, some <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/06/nx-s1-5597971/electricity-bills-utilities-ai" target="_blank">reports from Bloomberg and NPR</a> suggest that the national "AI data boom" is driving up demand so quickly that utilities everywhere are scrambling to build new generation, which often results in higher bills for all customers. [ATTACH=full]82928[/ATTACH]MPR News +5</li> </ul>If you'd like to dive deeper, I can look into:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The specific tax benefits Harwood expects to receive from the $3 billion project.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The current status of the legal battle between Fargo and Harwood over the annexation of the land.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">How water usage and noise levels at the Ellendale site compare to the plans for Harwood. </li> </ul></blockquote>

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