Coal Creek data center park near Underwood
Also called: Coal Creek Data Center
The owner of North Dakota's largest coal plant wants a data center park next to it, using up to 300 MW. The county rezoned the land in 2025, but no data center company has been named.
Where things stand: County rezoned 800 acres for a data center park in June 2025. No tenant or project announced yet.
🕒 Latest update (June 17, 2025): McLean County commissioners approved rezoning 800 acres in Sections 13 and 18 next to Coal Creek Station from farm land to commercial, to be split into lots for data centers.
What we know
- 📍 Whereabout 1.5 miles west of Coal Creek Station: N½ of Section 13 (T145N R83W) and N½ and SW¼ of Section 18 (T145N R82W), Unincorporated McLean County, McLean County
- 🏢 CompanyRainbow Energy
- 🌳 Size800 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs300 megawatts (about as much as 240,000 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromCoal Creek Station, a 1,151 MW coal power plant next door
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Has any data center company signed on? 🙋 I'll find out
- Has anyone applied to McLean County for a building permit? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- June 2025McLean County Commission rezoned about 800 acres near Coal Creek Station from farm to commercial use.
- June 17, 2025McLean County commissioners approved rezoning 800 acres in Sections 13 and 18 next to Coal Creek Station from farm land to commercial, to be split into lots for data centers.
Local votes and rules
🗺️ Zoning change
The county rezoned about 800 acres near Coal Creek Station from farm land to commercial, at Rainbow Energy's request, for a future data center park.
Drag the slider to compare the land before and now.
Where this comes from
- Coal Creek owner plans to power North Dakota data center park · Bismarck Tribune / Forum · July 7, 2025
- Planning and Zoning Commission minutes, June 16, 2025 · McLean County · June 16, 2025
- County Commission minutes, June 17, 2025 · McLean County · June 17, 2025
- PLSS Section 18, T145N R82W (outline) · Bureau of Land Management · 2026
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