Bill > HF28

This bill addresses data center energy generation redundancy by making several amendments to Minnesota statutes related to energy infrastructure and environmental review. The bill defines a "data center" as a freestanding structure primarily used for processing, storing, and transmitting digital information, and introduces a specific definition for "emergency backup generator" as a stationary engine installed with equipment that prevents electricity flow to the electric grid. The legislation creates an exemption in utility regulations for combinations of emergency backup generators at a single site with a total capacity of 50,000 kilowatts or more that provide power to a data center, which would be eligible for permitting as a single stationary source. Additionally, the bill modifies environmental review procedures to provide more streamlined processes for alternative urban areawide reviews and expands the types of energy projects subject to certain regulatory review procedures. The changes aim to facilitate more efficient development of data center infrastructure while maintaining appropriate environmental and utility oversight, with most provisions becoming effective immediately after final enactment or by July 1, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0028&ssn=0&y=2025