Data centers, energy and water: Local government decision-making toolkit

Over the past year, University of Minnesota researchers from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, the Law School and UMN Extension have partnered with Freshwater and city administrators from Byron, Stewartville and Lewiston to develop research-backed tools for local governments in Southeast Minnesota.

Topics covered in the toolkit:

• Data centers and their potential energy and water impacts
• The regulatory environment surrounding data center development
• How data centers can be addressed in local codes
• Questions to ask when evaluating development inquiries and feasibility
• How to identify community priorities and incorporate them into responses to development inquiries

This online webinar will introduce the final toolkit and demonstrate how local governments can use it to answer questions from staff, elected officials and constituents about data centers and their energy and water use.

The toolkit focuses on Southeast Minnesota, but much of the information is relevant to local governments across Minnesota. Officials, staff and community members from throughout the state are welcome to attend.