Attendees escorted out after Hermantown unanimously passes MN Power transmission line
The Hermantown City Council unanimously approved the environmental review for a Minnesota Power transmission line intended to supply Google's proposed data center. The vote followed changes to the route to avoid shoreland areas and prompted protests, while Google announced a decommissioning agreement, school funding discussions and a community advisory council ahead of a pending special use permit vote.
Hermantown City Council approved the environmental review for Minnesota Power's proposed 230-kilovolt transmission line, which would supply Google's planned data center. The vote came after the city addressed a shoreland ordinance that was not compliant with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requirements; Minnesota Power also altered the route to avoid shoreland areas. Some attendees were escorted from City Hall after protesting the decision.
Google representatives said the company is developing a 50-year decommissioning agreement covering removal of the facility and restoration of the property if the data center becomes obsolete. Google also said it is discussing contributions to Hermantown schools after abandoning a tax abatement request and will create a Community Advisory Council. Opponents continue to question the city's handling of environmental and transmission-line concerns, with a special use permit vote scheduled for Oct. 26.