Rosemount halts new data center discussion with moratorium

The Rosemount City Council, responding to community pushback, unanimously voted on April 21 to enact a one-year moratorium on new data center developments. This pause will allow city staff to conduct further studies, evaluate potential environmental and community impacts, and develop comprehensive regulations for any future data centers. Community Development Director Adam Kienberger highlighted the need to account for emerging best practices and potential statewide legislation, as well as to observe the operational impacts of the current Meta Data Center, which is slated to open later this year at UMore Park. The moratorium will not affect the ongoing construction of the Meta data center, which is projected to create 1,000 construction jobs and 100 long-term positions. Council members acknowledged that resident concerns, particularly regarding resource consumption like water and power, as well as noise pollution, were integral to their decision. Council Member Paul Essler noted the importance of evaluating the actual performance of the existing data center, specifically its low water use technology, to confirm independent engineer assessments before pursuing new projects. Council Member Tami Klimpel supported the moratorium to gather local data on the Meta center's performance, shifting from speculation to evidence regarding water usage, noise levels, and overall community impact. Council Member Heidi Freske also emphasized the need for new business opportunities to align with Rosemount's vision. Residents thanked the council and called for independent third-party studies to ensure unbiased information.