Data Centers and Local Considerations

We had 116 people join our February 26, 2026 "Lakeside Chat: Data Centers and Local Considerations" webinar! Please find the video recording, slides, and links below. 

In 2025, the Minnesota legislature adopted new state-level regulations for proposed data center developments. These facilities can bring jobs and investment and also raise questions around water use, energy, noise, land use, and city planning. This webinar dug deeper into regulations, decision making, and questions cities might consider when a data center is proposed in their community. Content included information from the following speakers: 

Catherine Neuschler, Environmental Quality Board Director will provide an overview of the outcomes of the last state legislative session. She will also cover what Environmental Review is and when it can be used.

James Kramvik, City of Brainerd Community Development Director will share details about cryptocurrency mining and why the city of Brainerd adopted a data center ordinance.

Elise Harrington, University of Minnesota Humphrey School Assistant Professor is conducting research about local data center decision making. She will share examples of what other communities in other states have considered in regards to decision making, ordinances, and other tools used. The examples she will share are from other states and the future of this project as a resource for Minnesota communities.

Webinar Recording

Presentation Slides

Tools and Resources

• Data Center Resources & Articles - compiled by MN GreenStep
• Filter by type of resource (guidance/toolkit, policy/ordinance, data/information, news/article, FAQs/101) and resource topic area (water, energy, air quality, noise, waste/hazardous waste, natural resources)
• Environmental Review
• About Environmental Review
• Data Center FAQs (NEW!)
• Environmental Review Project Database
• EQB Monitor - newsletter
• Technical Assistance: 651.757.2873 Env.Review@state.mn.us
• Data Center Ordinances
• City of Brainerd Ordinance 1581 - Section 515-3-19: Data Centers
• Prince William County, VA - Data Center Opportunity Zone Overlay District 
• Frederick County, MD - Critical Digital Infrastructure Overlay Zone
• Linn County, IA - Data Centers Ordinance
• York County, VA - York County moves to regulate data centers (The Triangle, June, 2025)
• City of Santa Clara, CA - Data Centers ordinance

Best Practice Actions related to this topic: 

• BPA 3.3 (green building policy for private buildings)
• BPA 3.4 (incentives for private green buildings)
• BPA 6.5 (climate and energy planning/goals) 
• BPA 10.2 (build-out analysis)
• BPA 10.4 (conservation design policy)
• BPA 10.7 (wildlife protection)
• BPA 20.6 (water conservation/reuse for private operations)
• BPA 23.3 (air emissions from back-up generators)
• BPA 25.4 (utilizing business "waste" material)
• BPA 26.6 (private sector-owned renewable energy)
• BPA 28.3 (sustainable business/industrial park)

Register for upcoming GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations workshops here. You do not need to be a GreenStep community to attend.

 Visit the GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations program website at www.mngreenstep.org.