10/14/2026
Hello Friends on City Environmental Commissions - this will be a great webinar tonight to be proactive not reactive related to data centers.
Has your town been approached about a new data center proposal? Are you wondering how to evaluate potential water and energy impacts?
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.
Learn more about this innovative toolkit at two upcoming events:
*In-person*
Friday, October 9, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Wood Lake Meeting Center
210 Woodlake Dr, Rochester, MN 55904
*Registration required, space is limited*
RSVP here: https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7VbfB0R98y4xq3c
*Online webinar*
Wednesday, October 14, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Zoom Link provided upon registration
*Registration required*
RSVP here: https://umn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y9sjm4OISxy5NGOcN_iIjg #/registration
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
Note: 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.
