Minnesota sets guardrails around data centers

Data centers have been making headlines across the country. You’ve likely heard about their substantial energy and water demands, and the prospect of (at least temporary) jobs that accompany their arrival.

Different states have handled data centers differently. Virginia currently has the largest concentration of data centers in the world. Maryland and Oregon have welcomed their rapid expansion as well.

Last session, Conservation Minnesota helped shape and pass bipartisan data center legislation in Minnesota that set some guardrails to protect both our environment and consumers. Some legislators believed the legislation didn’t go far enough to reign in data center demands, while others believed it went too far. One thing’s for sure—the issue isn’t going away. We’ll keep you posted as Minnesota continues to contend with this new issue.