Twin Cities city imposes moratorium on data centers

The city of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, has passed a one-year moratorium on new data center developments. The City Council's vote will temporarily halt any data center projects, including one currently pending near the South St. Paul border. Local residents have voiced concerns over the potential impacts of data centers, specifically citing issues related to water consumption, electricity demands, strain on local roads, and broader environmental effects. This action by Inver Grove Heights follows similar discussions and opposition elsewhere in Minnesota, as highlighted by a separate ongoing lawsuit in Hermantown, where residents are attempting to block a proposed Google data center.