The Twin Cities Pioneer Press reports…

The Hastings City Council on Monday night moved forward a potential pause on any data center development, joining a growing number of cities across the state considering such a measure.

The ordinance calls for a moratorium on any data center projects for one year, allowing Hastings city staff to study the impact of these facilities, while also considering how to better define such facilities within city code.

The city council on Monday approved the first reading of the proposed moratorium, and will consider final adoption at its Aug. 17 meeting, when they will also solicit comments from the community with a public hearing.