Poll: North Dakotans want state data center regulations

North Dakotans want oversight from the state government to regulate data centers, but are split about whether state officials can tackle local zoning concerns effectively, a new North Dakota Poll has found. 

Asked whether they’d like to see state officials get more involved in deciding where data centers can be built, 57% say they support such moves, while 29% oppose and 14% are undecided, according to poll data. 

While the desire is there for state intervention, public trust is split on whether the state could actually handle the task, the poll, commissioned by the North Dakota News Cooperative, found. 

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Asked about the state’s ability to regulate data center expansion, 38% say it could do so effectively, while 36% say it could not. Another 26% aren’t sure.

State Sen. David Hogue, majority leader in the Senate, will have to weigh in on bills related to data centers in the upcoming legislative session starting in January. Hogue said that in terms of zoning authority over data centers, those decisions should be made at the county level. 

“I think that definitely belongs at the county level, as opposed to the township or the city level, I think that’s the best place. I don’t have the view that it should be multiple jurisdictions,” Hogue said. 

“I definitely think the states should be in charge, and they’re well equipped to regulate the emergence of data centers as an industry,” Hogue said, opposing federal regulations on data center development. 

Sheri Haugen-Hoffart, who was recently reelected to the Public Service Commission, said potential legislative areas to look at at the state level could revolve around transparency or the impacts of large-electricity-load industrial projects. 

John Pederson, a history and economics professor at Mayville State University who ran for a PSC seat but lost in the recent election, is skeptical the state can do much on data center development. 

“I would be hopeful that it could be addressed, but realistically, I don’t think the next legislative session would address this or address it adequately,” Pederson said. 

On larger questions about regulating artificial intelligence, most in North Dakota have little faith in the federal government to come up with appropriate rules and guidelines.

Only 19% of respondents feel the federal government is capable of effectively regulating AI development, with 60% saying it is not capable and another 21% aren’t sure. 

“The federal government has a lead role to play in controlling the advancement of AI,” Hogue said. “Federal regulation, it seems, is the only way to coordinate national security, cyberattacks and other concerns implicated by rapid advancement of AI.” 

Data center legislation begins to take shape in North Dakota

Cale Dunwoody, vice president of public policy at the Chamber of Fargo Moorhead West Fargo, said the federal government should take the lead in establishing AI rules and regulations.

“A consistent national framework for AI should also respect the role of state and local leaders in addressing land use, infrastructure and community impacts associated with data center development,” Dunwoody said. 

North Dakotans do want better policies for requiring companies to disclose when consumers interact with AI rather than a real human being, but regulation of that sort will likely need to come at the federal level, those who viewed the poll data said. 

One of the largest areas of consensus is that companies should disclose when consumers are interacting with AI. 

A majority of respondents, at 81%, say they should. Only 11% oppose that disclosure and 8% are undecided. 

AI use is growing nationally and at the state level, said Andrea Pfennig, vice president of government affairs at the Greater North Dakota Chamber. 

Citing U.S. Chamber statistics, Pfennig said 86% of North Dakota’s small businesses are using AI in some fashion and upwards of 95% of those users see growth in sales, profits and workforce.  

“We hope support for AI data centers grows as more people recognize how North Dakota’s small businesses are embracing this technology,” Pfennig said. “Our small businesses are putting new tools to work to compete, invest, and grow here at home.”

Poll: Support mixed for data centers, state asked to take lead

The North Dakota Poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, from Oct. 19 through Oct. 21, 2026. A total of 625 North Dakota adult residents were interviewed statewide by telephone as part of the survey. 

Among respondents, 40% identify as Republican, 39% as Independent, and 21% as Democrat, with an even representation among age groups and genders. 

Geographically, 25% are from Fargo and Cass County, 25% from other parts of eastern North Dakota, 19% from the Bismarck-Mandan region and 31% from western North Dakota. 

The North Dakota Poll, sponsored by the North Dakota News Cooperative, is the only regular, nonpartisan statewide survey of eligible North Dakota voters and consumers.

The North Dakota News Cooperative is a nonprofit news organization providing reliable and independent reporting on issues and events that impact the lives of North Dakotans. The organization increases the public’s access to quality journalism and advances news literacy across the state. For more information about NDNC or to make a charitable contribution, please visit newscoopnd.org. Michael Standaert can be reached at [email protected].