Today the MN House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee heard HF 28 on Data center energy generation redundancy.
A little background: The bill relates to data center energy generation redundancy. The goal is to get very large data centers to come to Minnesota. (I have also been following HF1227, relating to tax exemptions for very large data centers.) The means introduced here seems to be streamlining permitting of energy generation redundancy.
The original goal was to Re-refer to Ways and Means. Ther was a vote, that didn’t pass to lay down the bill until they get more answer on water use and reuse. But in the end the vote was to refer to general register.
Event: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee
Agenda:
HF28 (Mekeland) Data center energy generation redundancy.
Rep Mekeland
- Amendment A4 – global agreement on language once city completes AURA [environment review] review, then approvals can move ahead. You don’t need to re-review those projects in the future.
- It is passed.
Q: So once local unit approves, the project construction can start?
Yes for projects that are covered to AUAR projects (so building permits).
Q: Why is that different?
It separates the difference between industrial review and AUAR review.
Re Mekeland
- Looking for back up power generation
Testifiers
Becker County Mayor
- Supports the bill
- Data centers have helped us grow local economy
- Data centers need standby generation – data center will only provide their own power for limited time
Becker City Admin
- Supports the bill
- Supports AUAR – which looks at accumulative aspects of environmental impact
- We will only need data center backup when power plant goes down
Superintendent for Becker Schools
- We expect to lose large tax base with local business closure
- Supporting datacenters will hope close that gap
IBEW State Council
- Represent workers
- Supports the bill
- To take advantage of super large data centers – we need to have the right laws
- This means thousands of jobs for our members – for 3-4 years (presumably each project)
Native Sun Power Development
- Reliable power is necessary but it doesn’t have to be fossil fuel
- We can take a forward looking approach including modern power storage
- Please consider all solutions
MN Interfaith power and Light
- This bill eliminates community interaction or impact on what’s happening
- We need to reevaluate power options
Sierra Club
- Opposes the bill
- This has program has already cost MN $350M in taxes
Vote Solar
- This seem to be hanging onto fossil fuels longer than we need to.
- We don’t need this much pollution
- Data centers require massive amount of water – and that will have an impact too
- This bill is being pushed by Amazon – they do not need our tax cuts
Cleanwater Action
- We need clean water
- We are concerned that this is going to mean jobs for folks outside of MN
CURE
- Amazon is going to build 260 generations with diesel fuel
- This bill is an end run around tomorrow’s PUC meeting
- These people are using power plant amounts of power
- An AUAR is not as stringent
From Farmington
- Not opposed to data center but opposed to no checks on growth
- We need transparency and accountability
Questions
Q What’s the difference between AUAR and regular review?
AUAR are only for residential, commercial and light industrial facilities. Not intended for heavy industrial reviews.
Q: Who does AUAR review?
Local government.
Q: Is there a public comment period?
Yes – similar to the usual public comment.
Q: Who can comment?
Up to cities.
Q Is this just for Becker County?
This is only for data centers – but it applies to any location.
Q: How does this relate to cryptocurrency?
I know nothing about cryptocurrency.
Q: What about water reuse?
These is a closed loop system – or so I hear. Apparently you just fill it once and it circulates.
Q: We are in charge of water – can we vote to Laid down the bill until they get more answer on water use and reuse?
Yes on vote – no on result