Brown: Data centers are coming. How will we regulate them?

Name: Brown: Data centers are coming. How will we regulate them?
Uploaded: 2026-03-31T17:30:09.000Z
Duration: 1 min 19 s
Description: The state of Minnesota is experiencing a boom in hyperscale data center proposals, leading to a significant debate among state legislators, local governments, and residents. Concerns include rising electricity costs and noise, prompting discussions on state-level regulation. The legislature is considering bills for NDAs and a potential moratorium on new data centers.

News Clip1:19Star Tribune·Hermantown, St. Louis County, MN·3/31/2026

The state of Minnesota is experiencing a boom in hyperscale data center proposals, leading to a significant debate among state legislators, local governments, and residents. Concerns include rising electricity costs and noise, prompting discussions on state-level regulation. The legislature is considering bills for NDAs and a potential moratorium on new data centers.

governmentelectricitywatermoratoriumoppositionzoning

Google

Gov: Minnesota State Legislature, Local Governments (Minnesota)

OPINION: Debate is roaring across Minnesota as some of the world's largest companies seek to build data centers here. But whether you love or hate them, transparency is going to be vital to the lawmaking process as legislators grapple with how to regulate these massive facilities.

Read the full column by Aaron Brown startribune.com 🤖

Photo/video by Minnesota Star Tribune staff.