Poll finds widespread opposition to data centers as Monticello weighs proposal
A proposed 3 million-square-foot Monticello Tech data center campus is facing significant public opposition ahead of a Nov. 9 Monticello City Council hearing. Residents have raised concerns about the project's electricity demand, water use, noise and land impacts, while the Planning Commission has recommended approval of its land-use applications.
The proposed Monticello Tech data center would occupy about 550 acres south of 85th Street NE and east of Highway 25, with more than 500 megawatts of electricity demand, a dedicated substation and estimated water use of 75,000 gallons per day. The project has become a major issue in Monticello's mayoral and City Council elections, with residents citing concerns about utility costs, environmental effects, noise and impacts on nearby property owners.
The Monticello Planning Commission voted 4-1 on Oct. 6 to recommend approval of the project's conditional use permit, rezoning and preliminary plat. The City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing Nov. 9 before deciding the land-use applications. Xcel Energy officials told the council that a separate customer classification approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission would require large data center customers to pay for dedicated facilities and system upgrades.
The article places Monticello's debate in the context of national opposition to new data centers and recent Minnesota legislation governing electricity costs, water oversight and fees for large facilities. It also notes that Wright County and Otsego have adopted temporary moratoriums on certain data center developments, although Monticello continues reviewing the Monticello Tech proposal under its planned unit development ordinance.