Getting answers to questions regarding proposed Data Center

Description:
The proposed Hermantown Data Center has a variety of potential impacts, both positive and negative. Proponents are excited by the prospect of economic development and job creation, while those opposed to the project cite concerns about transparency and the environment.

Some of the environmental impacts, such as on the site’s wetlands, were described in the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). The AUAR has gotten pushback from many who say it was not thorough enough.

“I really need to know if you can explain to yourselves why you picked an AUAR instead of a standard environmental impact statement,” Hermantown resident Tom Bates said at a City Council Meeting. “I realize they’re slower, but what’s the rush? Is it going to be there for 50 years? What do you think? 50 years? 100 years? They don’t go away. You get a big facility like that. They don’t go away overnight. So what’s the rush? We’d be better off to take a little time now and get it really right.”

Hermantown Communications Director Joe Wicklund says many of the concerns would have been addressed at the October 21 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Due to a petition for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), the city pulled the Special Use Permit (SUP) and the Commercial Industrial Permit from the agenda.

“Those permits describe more specifically uses, heights, views, what the project really is compared to some of the worries that came out of the AUAR that there’s not specificity,” explained Wicklund.

Many residents are asking questions regarding water usage, potential noise pollution and the much needed power. WDIO got answers to some of these concerns, and will continue to delve deeper into the proposed Data Center.

The developer, Mortenson, is planning on talking with community members to address the many questions that remain.