SF 4816

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/26/2026 09:19 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to environment; requiring rulemaking to require environmental impact
statement for data centers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin MANDATORY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR DATA
CENTERS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Environmental Quality Board must amend Minnesota Rules, part 4410.4400, to
provide that construction of a data center requires preparation of an environmental impact
statement. For purposes of this paragraph, "data center" has the meaning given in Minnesota
Statutes, section 216B.02, subdivision 11. Data center includes a qualified large-scale data
center, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 297A.68, subdivision 42, paragraph (e).
new text end

new text begin (b) The board may use the good-cause exemption under Minnesota Statutes, section
14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and Minnesota Statutes,
section 14.386, does not apply except as provided under Minnesota Statutes, section 14.388.
new text end