Farmington event to examine health and climate impacts of proposed data center
A public event in Farmington will examine the potential health, climate and environmental impacts of a proposed 2.5-million-square-foot hyperscale data center. Organizers say the project could consume more electricity than Monticello’s nuclear plant produces and raise concerns about diesel backup generators, pollution, water use and electronic waste.
Residents will gather Oct. 27 at the Dakota County Public Library in Farmington for a discussion of the potential health and climate impacts of a proposed hyperscale data center. The event is being organized by the Coalition for Responsible Data Center Development and Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, with presenter Ella Norman, a University of Minnesota medical student and volunteer with the health group.
The proposed 2.5-million-square-foot facility has generated concerns about electricity demand, diesel backup generation, air and water pollution, noise, electronic waste and limited public information about its operations. Organizers also said nondisclosure agreements delayed residents’ access to project details and argued that data centers can contribute to broader emissions through their energy use and support of artificial-intelligence applications.