City of Isanti enacts 30-month data center moratorium

The City of Isanti, Minnesota, has imposed a 30-month moratorium on data center construction, a decision stemming from local government concerns about the potential negative impacts of such facilities. Isanti Mayor Luke Merrill indicated the city lacks definitive policies to manage hyperscale data centers, expressing fears about unknowns like immense electricity and water consumption.

Council member Steve Lundeen echoed these concerns, referencing instances where data centers heavily strained local power grids and water supplies, leading to adverse effects on residents. He also highlighted issues like increased light and noise pollution, alongside a perceived lack of job benefits from these facilities. The city council voted 4-1 to approve the 30-month moratorium, with Council member Erika Zdon dissenting, arguing the threat of immediate data center development was low and a shorter timeline would be more adaptable.

In related developments, the nearby Cambridge Council is researching data center impacts ahead of a potential moratorium, and the Isanti County Commissioners have instructed staff to investigate ordinances from other Minnesota counties that have already enacted similar bans. Neither Isanti nor Cambridge or Isanti County have received direct inquiries from data center developers to date.