Sherburne County Board of Commissioners District 3 Primary Voters Guide: Gregg Felber

Gregg Felber, a candidate for Sherburne County Commissioner District 3, is seeking re-election with a focus on energy, solid waste, and public safety. Felber emphasized his work on the Minnesota Energy Transition Advisory Committee and his opposition to the state-mandated closure of the Xcel Energy Sherco Coal Plant by 2040, advocating for its repeal and lifting the nuclear moratorium to protect the county's tax base and ensure reliable power for the Midcontinent Independent System Operator Grid.

Regarding economic development, Felber expressed support for attracting data centers to Sherburne County, viewing them as crucial for future growth. He stipulated that such facilities must be built responsibly, located in industrial zoning areas, utilize air cooling, and be required to fund grid improvements to mitigate their significant power consumption. He cited Google's proposed air-cooled data center in Pine Island as an example of beneficial economic development due to its contributions to grid development and local tax revenue.

Felber also detailed the county's recent update to its zoning regulations, including the passage of a new zoning ordinance and map, and modifications aimed at encouraging development in "Hamlet zones" and allowing Auxiliary Dwelling Units to address housing affordability. He discussed financial pressures from unfunded mandates and the necessity of funding a jail replacement project, advocating for continued federal contracts for the regional detention center, including those with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for both public safety and economic benefits.