MN residents opposed to data centers take their fight to legislators

A coalition of Minnesota residents, primarily from Greater Minnesota cities including Hermantown, Pine Island, Monticello, Farmington, and North Mankato, is advocating for state legislative action to regulate data center development. Led by individuals like Rebecca Gilbertson from Hermantown and Louis Schwartzkopf from North Mankato, the group is pushing for a statewide moratorium on proposed data center projects. They also seek to ban non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by local officials with developers and to mandate public hearings before permit approvals, citing a lack of transparency and feeling "stonewalled" by city halls. Although a ban on NDAs has seen some committee support, lawmakers showed little urgency for a moratorium, which the coalition considers crucial. The group believes an NDA ban would be "too late" for projects already underway, as developers have already used NDAs to advance plans without public scrutiny. A St. Louis County commissioner previously proposed a similar NDA ban.