Geronimo Power outlines Nobles County data center plans; local cooperative voices support

Sean Lawler of Geronimo Power briefed the Murray County Board of Commissioners Feb. 24 on the company’s wind developments and a newer data center effort proposed for Nobles County, describing what data centers do and the criteria the company seeks in a site.

Lawler said suitable sites generally have electrical infrastructure, available labor for construction and operations, fiber-optic availability, good roads and supportive community partners. He outlined topics the company studies for data-center projects including electric usage and regeneration, water usage and reclamation, noise thresholds and mitigation, required environmental permitting and studies, and potential economic impacts on jobs, infrastructure and tax revenue. Geronimo shared examples of landscaping, berms and vegetation the company uses to screen facilities and said construction timelines vary by project phase; the company invited the public to a virtual open house and directed interested parties to the board packet and its website for details.

Adam Tromlay of Nobles County Cooperative Electric, who attended the session, told commissioners the cooperative board "is 100% behind this project. They view it as a once in a lifetime project allowing stabilization of rates and access to advanced infrastructure, providing better power. They also feel the community benefits are huge." Tromlay addressed questions about effects on electric rates and infrastructure support.

Murray County took no formal action on the presentation. The company’s remarks were informational; further local review or formal approvals would depend on project location, permitting and interjurisdictional coordination.