Alexandria City Council Enacts One-Year Data Center Moratorium
The Alexandria City Council has enacted a one-year moratorium on data center construction and expansion. The City Council and Planning Commission are currently studying data centers, including their power and water consumption and potential impact on public utilities and infrastructure. ALP Utilities has provided information on data center power usage and capacity.
The Alexandria City Council in Minnesota has enacted a one-year moratorium on data center construction, expansion, and permit applications, a decision made in July. The moratorium aims to allow city officials time to study the potential impacts of data centers on public utilities, infrastructure, and the long-term economic benefits to the community.
Both the Planning Commission and the City Council are actively studying data centers. Josh Waldorf, manager of electric distribution for ALP Utilities, addressed the Planning Commission, providing detailed information on data center power usage and the capacity of existing data centers. The commission also reviewed nine video presentations, both in support of and in opposition to data centers, which will form part of the permanent record for their one-year study.
City Planner Mike Weber noted that data centers have gained significant attention statewide, with many municipalities approving facilities without thoroughly assessing their full impacts. The study and moratorium come amidst growing concerns over the substantial electricity and water consumption of data centers, particularly those supporting Artificial Intelligence, which can drive up costs and contribute to climate concerns.