Headlines on data centers and what they mean for communities
Minnesota data center news
Minnesota cities are handling data center proposals through environmental review, draft rules and public votes. Pine Island's council unanimously approved a settlement requiring state review of a Google data center. Harmony planners backed draft data center rules ahead of a council vote Nov. 10, and Hermantown's council moved forward with all six resolutions tied to a proposed Google data center on Oct. 30 after about four hours of public comment.
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A judge on Friday denied a request by Stop the Hermantown Data Center, filed Thursday, to block any permits or construction work on the Google-backed project, and a scheduling conference is set for Nov. 6. KARE 11 reports three lawsuits are pending over the data center, including one from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy seeking a full environmental review.
After about four hours of public comment on Oct. 30, the Hermantown City Council moved forward with all six resolutions tied to the proposed Google data center, including a special use permit, a development agreement with Harmony Group LLC and the rejection of a citizen petition for an environmental assessment worksheet. Fox 21 reported that a majority of the speakers were against the data center.
