[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6660364,"mediaKeyId","2435703-87dc45cc41e3b57f875ecef4a352530a","parentId",2435703,"title","Committee advances bill to streamline local approvals for data-center backup generation amid debate over air, water and tax impacts","audioSeconds",3055,"startMs",48000,"endMs",3103000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2435703-87dc45cc41e3b57f875ecef4a352530a&start=48&end=3103","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2435703-87dc45cc41e3b57f875ecef4a352530a/thumbnail_48000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6660364/Minnesota/Committee-advances-bill-to-streamline-local-approvals-for-data-center-backup-generation-amid-debate-over-air-water-and-tax-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660364-432ff79e89af8dcb7219bc987184bd65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651475&Signature=HF2Y2q2utnMbnVZE8llY3keByzVZaBvC7PIIJBMZdYhcIBlCmzTsIhw4k70SD8J878-BOrgXZclR9FPOphBtNWgU0jskKjMXOG~E6BpIotCxk0EteitDyq1yCMJbmYarEk0iI1yBw~D3yrkrCnnA8TM67JqHxSKd8xiQ86pkqzXPZNlGeHoCOAvL6GXptfQjzat1jVwEcImyG06BX3RNpu5XzwqefTpIP2XFmEv1b~K34DiwWSgh18HS5lLHHS06zZY5treUN7clxRqsfn1xaX5kT1GM8PKF2g90WNoJ7ctSlvDNrP10Egst~tnx4atcaGeOX42tP3MUhiXDxo294w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-02-27T23:39:22.297Z","article","The Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee on March 5 advanced House File 28, a bill that would let local governments move forward with development covered by an alternative urban area‑wide review (AUAR) even while some state agency reviews continue, and would narrow state review of large emergency backup generation proposed at data‑center sites.

The committee adopted an A4 amendment, described by Catherine Neuschler, executive director of the Environmental Quality Board, as clarification “that the projects that are covered under an AUAR, and they're reviewed when that review is complete. That review is complete. And then the governmental permits and approvals can move ahead for those projects that are covered.” The amendment passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: supporters say the bill gives towns and cities certainty when a local AUAR has already examined cumulative impacts, allowing construction and permitting for covered residential, commercial, warehousing and light industrial uses to proceed without repeating previous reviews. Opponents say the measure would short‑circuit state oversight of large combustion backup systems, increase pollution risks, and lock in fossil‑fuel solutions instead of newer storage or renewable options.

Supporters included local officials and business groups. Mark Kolbinger, mayor of Becker, described his city’s transition after the Sherco power plant retirement and urged support, saying House File 28 “supports local zoning control for those communities that have gone through the rigorous alternative urban area wide review process.” Becker city administrator Greg Leroux told the committee an AUAR is “a rigorous statutory environmental review planning tool” and argued the bill prevents duplicative reviews.

Labor and utility‑development voices also supported the bill. Joel Johnson of the IBEW State Council said siting data centers in Minnesota would produce construction and permanent jobs, and Joe Parkers of Native Sun urged the committee to allow a range of backup options, including battery storage, rather than limit policy to diesel generators.

Opposition focused on public‑health, environmental and fiscal concerns. Sarah Wolf of Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light and Patty O'Keefe of Vote Solar warned that diesel backup generators produce nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that disproportionately affect nearby communities. Peter Wagenis of Sierra Club North Star chapter and Ivana Stark of Clean Water Action said the state’s data‑center tax incentives and large water and energy demands have produced fiscal and environmental costs; Wagenis cited a figure from advocates that the state program has cost “over $350,000,000.” Sarah Meradian of CURE told the committee Amazon had asked the Public Utilities Commission to exempt proposed backup generation from certificate‑of‑need review and said the bill appeared to “end run” that process.

Committee discussion touched on distinctions between AUARs and project‑level environmental reviews. Neuschler and other witnesses said AUARs are limited to certain local development types and that projects triggering other mandatory review categories — for example, large water appropriations or power‑plant sized generation — still require separate agency review. Neuschler summarized: “AUARs also can only be conducted by local governments… anything else, any industrial facility that triggers any of the other mandatory categories for environmental review… needs to go through whatever other processes are relevant.”

Several members raised water‑use and public‑health questions for specific data‑center proposals in Becker, and Representative Lee Fisher moved to lay the bill on the table until water‑use details were provided; that procedural motion failed 6–7. Chair Heintzeman then moved to re‑refer the bill to the general register; the motion passed on a roll call, 7–6, sending House File 28 forward with the A4 amendment in place.

Actions and procedural record: Chair Heintzeman made the motion to move House File 28 in committee and also moved the A4 amendment; the A4 amendment was adopted by voice vote. A motion to lay the bill on the table failed on a roll call (6 yes, 7 no). A subsequent roll‑call motion to re‑refer House File 28 to the general register carried 7 yes, 6 no. The committee’s discussion and vote record are reflected in the minutes.

Next steps: with the A4 amendment adopted and the committee referring the bill to the general register, the bill proceeds in the House process. Committee members who requested further technical information said they expect additional conversations about water‑use permits, certificate‑of‑need authority, and whether battery storage or other alternatives should be explicitly enabled.

Votes at a glance: A4 amendment — adopted (voice vote). Lay on the table — failed (6 yes / 7 no). Re‑refer to general register — passed (7 yes / 6 no).

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee on March 5 advanced House File 28, a measure clarifying how local alternative urban area‑wide reviews (AUARs) interact with state permitting and narrowing state review of large emergency backup generation at proposed data‑center sites.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6660356,"Committee approves bill allowing property owners to mark boundaries with purple paint as a trespass indicator",735,5141000,5876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2435703-87dc45cc41e3b57f875ecef4a352530a&start=5141&end=5876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2435703-87dc45cc41e3b57f875ecef4a352530a/thumbnail_5141000.jpg","/articles/6660356/Minnesota/Committee-approves-bill-allowing-property-owners-to-mark-boundaries-with-purple-paint-as-a-trespass-indicator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660356-09bfaf52631c47db30538eb826279497/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651475&Signature=e3fjeTweXzKtj7JGoArwJ9QDUrNkR~lhsg37TZ4YYx4bhQE~2DHKL~EmcpO4PpEeIPDMwC9Zu8eXHjSjBZd94GCQ8xCpMg7Shb~2WFBXhn2s23uxgXG6R-KXXI-ZKygvSeQ0vzpOfl6Z6meipEheldfJ3CmT~2NQuBpIVIH-5kixfyM4TzXxzrUgdByKeaJUK9MEbtuFcL5~7XATKc~mCh8AmlJ~O07uQDS4bY10BUEEFmYGKnuwSZGwwhNdv6RIajPrZ6diyTklW1mE2pPdlyZ3efX5F~x5syKFjAWDg0BHLTIVC79ZOK08luxx3vkYjZvufsJWm~0UEkcedXTfeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee on March 5 approved House File 944, a bill that would allow landowners to mark property boundaries with vertical purple paint strips as an alternative to posted “no trespassing” signs.

Representative Gilman sponsored the bill and the committee adopted an A1 amendment to require that property owners post identifying information and a phone number “at a convenient road access point.” The Department of Natural Resources enforcement division said the change would help the public identify landowners and discourage unauthorized marking of public lands.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Grecki, assistant director for DNR Enforcement, testified in support: the DNR told the committee that 22 other states have similar purple‑paint laws and that paint markings can be more durable than signs. “This bill would provide land owners an additional method to post their property and let them know where the current boundaries are,” Grecki said.

Committee members raised accessibility questions including color‑vision concerns and visibility in low‑light situations. Representative Purcell asked about people with color‑vision differences; proponents said purple is generally distinct from forestry and logging paint colors and that the amendment’s requirement to post owner contact information at access points would reduce ambiguity. Representative Falconer suggested combining visibility features or standardized shapes for additional clarity.

Outcome: the committee adopted the A1 amendment and recommended House File 944 to the general register by voice vote. The committee and DNR said they would pursue public education about the new marking option if it becomes law, including outreach to hunters and recreational users.

","House File 944, which would permit landowners to mark property boundaries with standardized purple paint markings, passed the committee after adoption of an A1 amendment requiring contact information at a nearby access point.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6660360,"Committee lays over bill to form Minnesota sustainable foraging task force after broad testimony from foragers and DNR",1984,3106000,5090000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2435703-87dc45cc41e3b57f875ecef4a352530a&start=3106&end=5090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2435703-87dc45cc41e3b57f875ecef4a352530a/thumbnail_3106000.jpg","/articles/6660360/Minnesota/Committee-lays-over-bill-to-form-Minnesota-sustainable-foraging-task-force-after-broad-testimony-from-foragers-and-DNR","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6660360-10727e3a079ae2c2631b4e664503f2b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770651475&Signature=nVirLEMgJ7Iaej1ET~fHMupzt9MusPPKiEll~iKKils2muC3deokgNoLq7uNRtgblFCUj1mKmDsPkTxRp3311WhIISGO8vxrhyaRzvCXN3v~Tt1NMptACYKccUpVcCdsmqboupSy5D5-GUGeprfRq07oiS5j0-kzoQw7wNpexYp0Un3qgByKwT-9oZusIFGIqcwlGSgXQdoz0MAgP5A8BLkJ4-1yvI4wstgzC-E1FIBmBRy4mkpAz~YUXBdrX8BFK0FXZ3yENTWUHq0NZJXeH5-u7EI6X0K3c834AxIsziABKaImofyn3k34X~fdOYfnVsad6-9aXSlWd51PfDVTDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee on March 5 heard extensive testimony on House File 819, which would establish a Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force to develop science‑based recommendations on foraging access and possible permitting on state lands.

Representative Fue (Schultz) sponsored the measure and introduced an author’s DE2 amendment that the committee adopted to clarify membership and scope. The bill would convene a multi‑stakeholder task force including foraging experts, tribal representatives, agency staff and legislators to evaluate sustainable harvest practices and public access.

Why it matters: foraging — from berry picking and mushrooms to wild rice harvest — connects many Minnesotans to the outdoors and to cultural foodways. Supporters, including the Minnesota Mycological Society and foraging educators, said the task force will allow stakeholders to co‑produce data and rules rather than reacting to unilateral agency rulemaking. Peter Martignacco, president of the Minnesota Mycological Society, said the group wants “thoughtful policy and regulation to guide the future management of this outdoor pursuit.” Chef Alan Burgo said the task force should be “scientifically sound, data driven and culturally sensitive.”

The Department of Natural Resources described its previous outreach and concerns about concentrated removals at some state parks. Assistant Commissioner Bob Meyer said state staff had paused earlier park‑specific rule efforts after public concerns and recommended that baseline population and ecological data are needed. “To say that we don't support foraging is just false,” Meyer said, adding that rules should reflect differences among state land types and that funding would be required to support task‑force research and operations.

Committee members emphasized tradeoffs between public access and resource protection. Representative Hansen said she supported access but opposed commercial harvest on public lands. Representative Purcell asked about language that would require the commissioner to implement task‑force recommendations or explain why not; the DNR said Chapter 14 rulemaking already allows substantial public process and cautioned that the task force’s recommendations should be weighed across multiple land types and tribal interests.

Outcome: Representative Schultz moved to lay House File 819 over for possible inclusion in future bills; the committee agreed to lay the bill over and will continue discussions and technical work.

","Lawmakers supported creating a task force to study sustainable foraging on state lands and develop recommendations; the bill was laid over for consideration after extensive testimony from foragers, hunters and the Department of Natural Resources.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill to streamline local approvals for data-center backup generation amid debate over air, water and tax impacts

Committee approves bill allowing property owners to mark boundaries with purple paint as a trespass indicator

Committee lays over bill to form Minnesota sustainable foraging task force after broad testimony from foragers and DNR