Google open house draws crowd as Carlton County considers moratorium
Google hosted an open house in Hermantown, Minnesota, for a proposed data center, drawing residents concerned about its environmental impact and energy consumption. Carlton County is actively considering a moratorium on data center construction across the county following revelations of potential development. The Hermantown City Council has previously tabled a vote on tax breaks for the project.
Google held an open house in Hermantown, Minnesota, for its proposed 1.2-million-square-foot data center, seeking to address community concerns. Carlton County Commissioner Sue Zmyslony and other residents attended, gathering information as Carlton County considers a moratorium on data center construction across the county, prompted by a possible data center in Silver Brook Township.
Opponents, including the "Carlton County Land Stewards" and protesters like Eleanor Dolan, voiced significant environmental concerns, citing potential impacts on energy consumption, air quality, deforestation, wetlands, and water usage. David Schneider, a retired professor and group member, expressed skepticism about Google's environmental sustainability pledges without detailed data. Google's Tyler Huebner affirmed the project would comply with state and local laws, use minimal water with air-cooled or closed-loop systems, and finance additional wind energy and battery storage through an agreement with Minnesota Power.
The Hermantown City Council previously tabled a vote on granting tax breaks for the data center proposal. State Representative Natalie Zeleznikar attended the open house to assess the balance between the project's environmental implications and its potential economic benefits, which Google estimates include 1,500-2,000 construction jobs, 40 full-time positions, and a substantial increase in commercial taxes.