Judge sets timeline in Monticello data center lawsuit

A lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) challenging the City of Monticello's environmental review for a proposed 550-acre industrial area, potentially including a large-scale data center campus, is proceeding in Wright County. Judge Suzanne Bollman set a timeline for the case, with a pretrial conference scheduled for December 29, 2024, and a final decision not expected until late 2026 or later. The MCEA's lawsuit, filed on February 25, focuses on the city's approval of an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR), arguing it did not adequately assess potential environmental impacts, particularly the estimated annual water usage of 250 to 300 million gallons and significant electricity demand. Both the City of Monticello and developer Monticello Tech LLC have denied the claims and sought dismissal, asserting the review was thorough and compliant with state law. Separately, on April 27, the Monticello City Council approved a Data Center Planned Unit Development (DCPUD) ordinance in a 4-1 vote, establishing specific zoning and review standards for any future data center proposals in the area. The ongoing lawsuit, which will likely be decided through summary judgment, does not currently include a request for an injunction to halt city actions.