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Prairie Watchdogs Podcast
Dakota Resource Council podcast is a weekly update with organization news, events and member profiles. Formed in 1978, Dakota Resource Council grew out of existing organizing efforts responding to impacts from coal development. Each year brings new threats to our members and their communities. Local residents often have to play defense when it comes to rapid energy and agriculture policies and infrastructure. But – they have power when they come together as a community.Responsible development requires local short-term and long-term concerns from constituents to be taken into account when decisions are being made. We owe it to our neighbors, our communities, and our future generations to protect our state’s resources and local voices.DRC works with communities across the state to organize around common goals of securing a thriving North Dakota and putting people first. Members take action to create public awareness and shape public policy to ensure safe and responsible development, to protect North Dakota’s agricultural economy, and to establish a foundation for a just transition to a diverse energy economy.
Prairie Watchdogs Podcast
Grassroots in Mercer County: Unpacking the Reality of Hyperscale Data Centers
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In this episode, DRC Rural Energy and Data Center Organizer Ishauna Jacobberger sits down with Mercer County resident and retired educator Linette Irwin to discuss the massive data center developments proposed in central North Dakota.
Linette shares how she and a dedicated group of neighbors formed Mercer County Concerned Citizens to dig into public records, map lease options, and uncover the true scale of proposed projects in their backyard. Together, they talk through the reality of 1.7-gigawatt facilities, the pressure on local farmland and infrastructure, the ongoing fight for meaningful zoning setbacks, and what it takes to build grassroots power across rural communities.
Whether you are navigating new energy developments in your own county or looking to get involved at the local level, Linette offers practical insights on finding your voice, showing up to public meetings, and protecting the rural way of life for the next generation.
Dakota Resource Council
drcinfo.org
info@drcinfo.org
(701) 224-8587