A North Dakota resident looks out their window at the night sky, only to be frustrated by the fact that the stars are no longer visible because of a nearby data center. Construction on the center’s third building has reportedly just begun, and its light pollution is already plainly visible from the resident’s home, 2.7 miles away. But it isn’t only the overwhelming nighttime brightness that concerns them—it’s what could come next that has them, along with thousands of others on r/mildlyinfuriating, worried.
Posting on Reddit under the username Bow_Ty, a North Dakota resident shared their concerns about the data center. “I’m unable to see the stars at night anymore,” they wrote, expressing frustration over the intense brightness of the site’s lights. “It’s hard not to be cynical nowadays,” they added, noting that the standing water around the facility—combined with the buildings’ light and heat—could lead to an increase in mosquitoes.
Commenters Expressed Widespread Concern About How the Data Center Could Negatively Affect Local Residents
“First they steal your night, then the water pressure,” one Redditor wrote in the comments. Another user warned that the nearby data center could drive up electricity bills and potentially contaminate the water supply. “AI data centers are legally allowed to ignore city and town ordinances on noise, bright lights, water use, and more,” another commenter claimed, placing the blame on local politicians.
Some people urged Bow_Ty to consider filing a complaint with the city, while others voiced frustration that the massive data centers would create a lose-lose situation for local residents. Concerns have been mounting among citizens since plans for the multibillion-dollar facilities were announced last year.
The growing resistance to data centers has become an ongoing conflict between local communities and corporations, some of which have the backing of government officials. For example, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer faced criticism after expressing her desire for the state to “lead” in this emerging AI-driven technology sector. These concerns are understandable, particularly in light of reports about rising living costs and environmental impacts, as Bow_Ty noted in their post.
Beyond concerns over data centers, North Dakota residents have recently expressed growing frustration with their elected officials, as both a U.S. senator and a member of Congress have faced criticism for controversial conduct in recent months.
