ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO-WCCO) — Minnesota’s data center boom is sparking environmental concerns.
The state is experiencing a rapid influx of data center proposals, drawn by a cold climate that lowers cooling costs, an abundance of water, and the state’s tax incentives.
However, environmental advocacy groups are raising alarm, citing the massive demands on local resources according to CEO of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Kathryn Hoffman.
“Are we worried about the effect on the grid, let alone lots of other things? Noise, light, metal demand is a big one,” says Hoffman. “A lot of metals go into these things. PFAS or forever chemicals are sometimes an issue.”
Critics argue that the rush to build more centers puts long-term resources at risk, while those in favor of the centers say they create jobs and could help further develop the states infrastructure.
“What we were seeing with these data centers is that they were moving through the process in a way that really avoided that level of study and scrutiny,” Hoffman adds. “Saying, you know, ‘we’re studying this project,’ but they might not even say what the project is,” Hoffman explains.
The MCEA is currently fighting the development of five ongoing projects, claiming developers are skirting environmental laws. There are already 61 operational data centers in Minnesota.
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