Bill > SF4681

This bill modifies various provisions related to data centers in Minnesota. It adjusts the criteria for preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for certain data centers, defining "net increase in consumptive use" to account for documented reductions from the same water source. The bill also exempts certain qualified large-scale data centers from paying an annual fee, which is typically based on their peak electricity demand, and exempts them from sales tax on electricity purchases if they are located in an "eligible community" or have filed necessary construction permits by January 1, 2025. Additionally, it exempts electricity sales to these qualified large-scale data centers from being counted towards a utility's solar energy standard, which requires utilities to generate or procure a certain percentage of their electricity from solar power. The bill also clarifies the definition of a "qualified large-scale data center" and introduces new requirements for these centers to obtain certifications for sustainable design or green building standards to maintain their exemptions.