Data Centers Have Outgrown Their Shoes
Data centers were never a topic of conversation when they were no bigger than that Super Target everyone is boycotting right now. Now it seems to be in all the local news headlines, and the talk of the community in Apple Valley with one being proposed and under consideration by the Apple Valley Planning Commission. Unfortunately, the news is big because data centers are big - the data centers being built today are hyper scale in size - typically 800,000 sf and larger. The equipment housed in these buildings require certain constant temperatures and humidity to function properly, therefore a significant number of backup generators are installed in case of power outage, usually diesel versions. Diesel generators are known to produce emissions and noise that could impact surrounding businesses and neighborhoods. With footprints upwards of 1 million square feet, data centers have outgrown their shoes. They do not belong outside of districts zoned Industrial.
11 data centers are planned for MN in the Metro and surrounding area, including 5 cities in Dakota County. Apple Valley is one of them - check out the map for the surrounding sites. Data centers are necessary to feed our data-hungry habits, but I think we can all agree they don't belong in residential and business areas of our communities. Luckily, there is a common sense, bipartisan Bill that we can all get behind - SF 608 would restrict hyperscale data centers (800,000 sf and larger) to industrial districts. This Bill allows for data centers AND supports the rights of property owners living in the neighborhoods of the planned data center locations.
If you are concerned about the noise and emissions impacting your neighborhood, please contact your legislatures supporting this Bill. This isn't just an Apple Valley concern - please share with neighbors who are being impacted by data centers planned for their communities. In your communication to our legislatures supporting Bill SF 608, please also mention any concerns you have with emissions, and the high energy and water consumption used in the cooling of data centers, which will strain the drinking water supply and threaten the State's and taxpayers' investments into 100% carbon free electricity by 2040.
Link to SF 608 Bill language as introduced: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF608...
To contact the Bill's authors (It's important to contact ALL legislatures in your district, in addition the Bill's co-authors; please add yours to the contacts listed below):
Sen. Bill Lieske - sen.bill.lieske@mnsenate.gov
Sen. Erin Maye Quade -https://www.senate.mn/members/email-form/1271
Sen. Nathan Wesenberg - sen.nathan.wesenberg@mnsenate.gov
Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen - sen.glenn.gruenhagen@mnsenate.gov