Data centers would see increased study under bill proposed in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Large data centers in Minnesota would face more scrutiny for their water use by the Department of Natural Resources under a House bill.

Democratic Rep. Peter Fischer of Maplewood, the sponsor, says Minnesota is seeing more data centers and finding that the amount of water they might need isn’t available.

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Energy Policy Director Michelle Benson says increased regulations would harm economic growth because data centers would look to other states.

The bill would require extra analysis for proposed data centers that would use more than 100 million gallons of water per year or 250,000 gallons per day.