Daily Digest — April 1, 2026
Hermantown Opens Public Comment on Downsized Google Data Center Environmental Review
The City of Hermantown, Minnesota, has opened a 30-day public comment period for an updated Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) scoping document related to a proposed Google data center campus, according to multiple local reports from Duluth News Tribune, KAXE, Northern News Now, and Fox 21. The project footprint has been reduced from 403 acres to 278 acres across 26 parcels, with a planned facility of up to 1.8 million square feet to be built in phases.
Key project details include:
- Harmony Group LLC has been acquiring land on behalf of Google, whose involvement was publicly confirmed in early March 2026
- The current proposal states the facility will not use a water-based cooling system
- Minnesota Power has announced an agreement with Google to power the data center with 700 MW of new clean energy resources — 300 MW of wind and 400 MW of battery storage
- Google has committed $5 million to Minnesota Power's energy affordability and efficiency programs
The project remains subject to an ongoing lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and the Stop the Hermantown Data Center group, as reported by KAXE. The project was placed on hiatus in November 2025 after a petition demanded further environmental review. Comments on the updated scoping document are being accepted through April 30.
Separately, the Duluth Building Construction Trades Council has expressed interest in participating in the project, according to Fox 21.
Hermantown begins new downsized site review for data center
duluthnewstribune.com
Public comments open on updated review of proposed Hermantown data center
KAXE
Hermantown opens 30-day public comment period for proposed Google Data Center
Northern News Now
Public comment period open on Hermantown data center urban area-wide review
fox21online.com
Minnesota Legislature Weighs Statewide Data Center Regulation
Minnesota legislators are debating statewide regulation of hyperscale data centers as proposals proliferate across the state, according to the Star Tribune. Concerns driving the discussion include rising electricity costs and noise impacts on nearby communities. The legislature is considering bills addressing nondisclosure agreements used in data center siting and a potential moratorium on new data center development.
Dorrance Township Zoning Board Delays Decision on Data Center Ordinance Challenge
The Dorrance Township, Pennsylvania, zoning hearing board has postponed its ruling on a substantive validity challenge filed by Brewster Land Company, LLC, until May 6, according to the Hazleton Standard Speaker, Audacy, and FOX56.
Brewster Land Company argues that the township's zoning ordinance — originally adopted in 2007 and amended in September 2025 — unlawfully excluded data centers from legitimate land uses under Pennsylvania law. The company's expert witnesses testified that the ordinance lacks provisions for essential data center infrastructure such as backup generators, cooling systems, and transmission lines. The proposed development is a six-building data center at South Main and Yeager Roads on a parcel currently zoned commercial (B-2), while the amended ordinance limits data centers to industrial districts.
The hearings drew over 100 residents, as reported by Audacy. Township residents questioned how an ordinance written nearly two decades ago could intentionally exclude a technology that was not yet prevalent, according to FOX56. If the board rules in Brewster Land Company's favor, it would then consider site-specific relief; if denied, the company can appeal to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.
Festus City Council Approves $6 Billion Data Center Over Community Opposition
The Festus, Missouri, City Council voted 6-2 to approve an ordinance advancing a $6 billion, 365-acre hyperscale data center project by CRG, the real estate arm of Clayco, according to Spectrum News, KSDK, St. Louis Public Radio, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and STLtoday. The approval followed a two-hour public comment period in a packed high school gymnasium.
Financial projections presented to the council include:
- $6 billion first-phase investment
- $8 million annually in utility tax revenue, rising to $22 million by 2031
- $1.3 billion in estimated revenue over the life of the agreement
- 150 permanent jobs and 1,000 construction jobs
- A 100% property tax abatement for CRG for five years
Residents raised concerns about transparency, alleging potential Sunshine Law violations related to closed-door meetings. One resident reported that a records request for a March 9 meeting was denied, citing confidential communications, as reported by Spectrum News. Attorney Steve Jeffrey confirmed that residents have retained counsel and are finalizing strategies for legal action, according to KSDK.
The next critical step involves the Jefferson County Port Authority's decision on a personal property tax abatement for the developer. Mayor Sam Richards has advised CRG to host two open houses for community engagement before construction begins.
Festus approved data center despite community opposition
Spectrum News
What's next for a proposed data center in Festus?
KSDK
Festus council approves $6 billion data center plan
St. Louis Public Radio (KWMU)
Video: Festus residents upset by data center project approval
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Vote delayed on Midtown data center
STLtoday.com
Fort Worth Council Tables $1.1 Billion Data Center Tax Abatement After Resident Opposition
The Fort Worth City Council has tabled a vote on a proposed 10-year, 50% property tax abatement for Edged Data Centers' $1.1 billion waterless data center on 186 acres in the Veale Ranch area of southwest Fort Worth, according to the Fort Worth Report, CBS News, CBS Texas, and WFAA. The vote is expected to be rescheduled for May 12, according to the Fort Worth Report, though CBS Texas reported it was moved to April 28.
Key developments:
- Council member Michael Crain requested a comprehensive report from the city manager on how Fort Worth evaluates and approves data center projects, including existing rules, zoning, and recommendations
- Council member Jeanette Martinez urged ERCOT approval requirements for data centers and restrictions on crypto and data mining facilities
- This is the second time in March that Fort Worth residents have opposed a data center development, following concerns over a separate $10 billion project
- A newly formed group, the 2871 Community Coalition, called for a data center-specific ordinance
Edged Data Centers stated the project would use a closed-loop water recycling system, build its own ERCOT-approved electrical substation, and adhere to noise limits, projecting $47 million in revenue for Fort Worth over 10 years against a $16 million tax break, as reported by the Fort Worth Report. The delay aligns with Texas legislative leaders' recent prioritization of studying data centers' statewide impacts ahead of the 2027 session.
‘Enough concern today’: $1B data center stalls; city, residents raise questions about tax break
Fort Worth Report
Community pushback pauses Fort Worth vote on tax break for $1.1 billion data‑center project
CBS News
Community pushback slows Fort Worth data center tax abatement
CBS TEXAS
Fort Worth City Council delays vote on proposed $1.1B data center amid resident concerns
WFAA
Fort Worth City Council delays vote on tax abatement for proposed $1.1B data center amid resident concerns
WFAA