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Committee debates data-center bill; environmental groups urge stricter review, industry and local officials back streamlined permit path
Summary
Senate File 1393, as amended, would clarify that most hyperscale data-center backup generation and certain project elements proceed under site permits and AUAR processes rather than the PUC certificate-of-need for generation; committee adopted an A5 amendment and an oral amendment, defeated several proscriptive amendments, and laid the bill over.
Senate File 1393, carried by Sen. Roger W. (Senator Matthews), drew extended testimony and debate March 12 before the Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate Committee. The bill addresses how Minnesota will review and permit large data centers, including whether on-site backup generation must undergo a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission certificate-of-need (CN) process or may proceed under a site-permit/AUAR (Alternative Urban Areawide Review) pathway.
The author said the bill clarifies that many data-center backup generators are not part of a traditional utility transmission-connected generation project and therefore do not meet the existing CN statutory test that triggers review for production tied to the grid. "I believe it clearly does not meet the test since they do not have transmission connected to the grid," Senator Matthews said. The bill's A5 amendment — adopted by the committee — reflects negotiated language from multiple stakeholders and…
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