This summer, across Minnesota and the country, concern over data centers has grown into a full-blown movement, capturing the press, focusing alarm at emerging AI technology and becoming a litmus test for political candidates.
But while opponents are channeling much of their energy into turning the court of public opinion against these projects, Pine Island’s case shows that rulings coming out of actual courtrooms can alter the trajectory of developments.
Courts have long been arbiters for major issues in the United States, noted Sam Temple of Faribault. As a candidate for Rice County Board this year, he welcomed a recent ruling slowing down a data center development in the city.
People place hope in the judiciary when they lose it in elected officials, he said. “(The court is) not the ideal tool, but it certainly is a tool, and it’s a tool that is a result of local organizing.”
More about the lawsuits…
Legal arguments against data center projects vary. Lawsuits allege that cities allowed lax environmental reviews, withheld information from public records requests, and that leaders discussed secret plans in defiance of open meeting laws.
The article details specifics in a number of communities in Minnesota and points out that the data center issue might be in the courts now but they started with elected officials and may swing back to that…
Courts weren’t the first place Minnesotans in these communities turned to in their quest to stop data centers.
Before courtrooms, they went to city hall. Elected officials were more OK with data centers than they were.
They went to the Capitol. Every bill to rein in data centers last session failed.
They’re turning data centers into an election issue this fall, although any electoral shifts will take months to be reflected in policies.