The Brief
- Minneapolis City Council is expected to vote Thursday, Nov. 12, on new data center rules before a six-month moratorium expires Nov. 21.
- The proposal would limit data centers to existing buildings downtown and in the North Loop, cap them at 150,000 square feet and require companies to disclose energy and water use.
- The city says downtown already has eight data centers, and council members said Xcel Energy told them there is interest in up to eight more projects.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis leaders appear close to a compromise on data centers as the city’s temporary pause on construction nears its Nov. 21 end.
What the proposed Minneapolis rules would do
What we know:
The proposal discussed at a Minneapolis City Council Committee of the Whole meeting would allow data centers only downtown or in the North Loop. They could only go into existing buildings, with minimal modifications allowed. In an attempt to address the potential for noise pollution, computers will have to be 20 feet away from exterior building walls.
Local perspective:…