Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Centers topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Winona County asks staff to prepare agenda item on data centers, citing groundwater and transparency concerns
Summary
Commissioners asked staff to gather information and bring a full agenda item on data centers after members raised concerns about groundwater use for cooling, electricity demand, nondisclosure agreements and public transparency; no policy was adopted but staff will report back.
Winona County commissioners asked planning and county staff to assemble information and prepare a future agenda item on data centers, after members raised land-use and resource concerns.
Commissioner Ward said officials lacked specific standards for data-center applications and expressed worry about groundwater use for cooling and large electricity consumption. "If somebody comes and applies for something we have no specifics to data centers," Ward said, urging staff to gather parameters and research what other counties are doing.
Commissioner Begley and others echoed the call for transparency, recommending the county avoid non-disclosure agreements and ensure public hearings and informed review. Commissioner Olson highlighted concerns about groundwater and energy demands tied to cooling operations.
Staff were directed to assemble research, review recent proposals elsewhere in the region, and wait until after the state legislative session for any relevant bills before returning with recommended options for public review and potential regulations.
