A Catholic lens on increasing data center demand and environmental concerns

Minneapolis city officials are actively reviewing zoning rules for data centers this fall, a move prompted by increasing data center demand and significant environmental considerations. The review follows public pushback that led Virginia-based developer Legacy Investing to withdraw its proposal to transform the former Minnesota Star Tribune Heritage Center printing plant in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood into a data center.

The Minneapolis City Council, which previously requested research into data center development impacts including regulatory, economic, utility, environmental, and community concerns, is operating under a moratorium on data centers larger than 350,000 square feet, in effect until November 21. Legislative staff presented research highlighting data centers' substantial electricity and water consumption, noting that continuous operation creates stable, high electrical loads and that water usage varies greatly depending on cooling technologies.

Community engagement is sought ahead of an October 13 City Planning Commission meeting and public hearing where new definitions, specific review processes, size limits, and energy/water reporting requirements will be considered. The Minnesota Catholic Conference has also supported a temporary moratorium on AI data centers to assess their impacts. Legacy Investing's proposal, initially presented to the North Loop Neighborhood Association Planning and Zoning Committee, faced strong public concerns regarding energy availability, water consumption, noise, and job creation, ultimately resulting in the committee passing a motion of no action due to insufficient information, preceding the developer's decision to halt the project.