Jeffrey D. Church

On concerns about hyperscale data centers

I'm very cautiously open to data centers — but not at any cost. One large data center can consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily (https://www.eesi.org/articles/view/data-centers-and-water-consumption?utm_source=copilot.com). Our Black Hills aquifers are already depleting faster than they recharge (https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2025/5067/sir20255067.pdf). Electricity costs are already up 46% since 2019 (https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU000072610) — shifted onto families and small businesses. Under FISA Section 702, every new data center becomes a potential node in a federal warrantless surveillance system — held unconstitutional by a federal district court in March 2026 (https://www.everycrsreport.com/files/2026-03-26_LSB11411_7e89689e751a502c102b6f59dbbd87357a4757f9.pdf).

How they’d address those concerns

Beyond economics and the Constitution, a topic legislators in Pierre don’t want to deal with is: when you recruit large concentrations of out-of-state tech workers with taxpayer-funded incentives, you aren't just changing the economy — you're changing the electorate. Look at Colorado. Sweetheart tax deals. Tech recruitment. Out-of-state workers. Changed electorate. Changed politics. Colorado hasn't had a Republican governor in 19 years (https://www.mapsofworld.com/list-of/governors-of-colorado-usa/). We can't Colorado South Dakota. South Dakota is open for business. But our water, our electricity, our constitutional rights, and our identity as a state are not for sale. If a data center is economically viable in South Dakota, let it be built and operated without taxpayer funded dollars. Let it be built and operated in accordance with State and local government laws, regulations, and rules. I worked inside the Pentagon during my 30-year Army career. My last assignment was as the U.S. Army’s Division Chief for Cyberspace Strategy and Policy. I understand the technology, the opportunities, and the threats.