What's at stake in Minnesota's data center debate
Residents Cathy and Gary Johnson have opposed Tract’s planned data center at a former golf course in Farmington, citing noise, lighting and environmental concerns. They filed a lawsuit but dropped it after running out of money, and construction is now moving forward; the debate has also raised questions about Minnesota water-use rules and a proposed national moratorium.
Cathy and Gary Johnson have spent more than two years opposing a planned hyperscaler data center across from their Farmington home in Dakota County. They formed a nonprofit and filed a lawsuit over the project, citing potential environmental damage, noise and bright lights, but abandoned the case after exhausting their funds. Construction is now expected to proceed, prompting neighbor Terrie Pearson and her husband to consider selling their adjacent home before construction affects its value.
The story reflects a broader Minnesota debate over the arrival of large data centers. Minnesota passed a law requiring the biggest projects to consider efficient water use, but Johnson said the measure lacks enforcement. Labor representatives, including Kevin Pranis and Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council President Dan McConnell, said data centers can provide construction jobs and training while arguing that local communities should decide how to manage their impacts. McConnell opposed a proposed temporary national moratorium on data center construction, while acknowledging divisions among unions over the industry.