Data Centers are an Election Issue. Minnesota voters now have a guide.

the MN state capitol at night with "no tax breaks for big tech" projected on a building

“No Dirty Data Centers MN” Coalition Launches Voter Resource Website

With Election Day nearing, Minnesotans have a new tool to help them understand what’s at stake in the state’s data center debate. The No Dirty Data Centers MN coalition has launched MN Data Center Voter, a nonpartisan website that helps voters navigate the health, environmental, water, energy, and taxpayer impacts of hyperscale data centers. The site includes issue explainers, candidate questions, and information about policy proposals currently being debated in Minnesota.

Across the state, concerns about data centers, artificial intelligence, and the growing influence of powerful tech companies are becoming kitchen table issues. According to coalition members, voters are increasingly asking whether Minnesota has adequate safeguards in place before more large-scale projects move forward.

This is echoed by Avonna Starck of Clean Water Action, “It’s hard to overstate voters’ concerns; we are hearing it everywhere. Voters are especially frustrated with the lack of response from candidates for Governor and Legislature.”

Some candidates point to Minnesota’s 2025 data center law as evidence that protections are already in place. Coalition members argue that communities are still being asked to absorb the risks of large-scale developments without enough transparency, public oversight, or meaningful safeguards.

During the legislative session that ended in May, organizations in the No Dirty Data Centers MN coalition supported legislation that would have banned non-disclosure agreements, strengthened environmental review requirements, and repealed sales tax exemptions for hyperscale data centers. Those proposals ultimately failed to advance.

Sarah Mooradian of CURE said, “Legislators chose not to advance these bills in the face of industry push-back. In 2027, Minnesota lawmakers must pass stronger, more comprehensive safeguards. We hope the website will help empower voters to press legislative candidates to support real action.”

For communities where hyperscale data center proposals are already moving forward, including Hermantown, Pine Island, and Farmington, coalition members say the stakes are immediate.

Cathy Johnson of Farmington, a member of the Coalition for Responsible Data Center Development said, “Small towns need protection from tech billionaires and hyperscale data center developers who have their own financial interests in mind, rather than Minnesotans’ quality of life. Long overdue is protection from the state to prevent small towns becoming ground-zero from a “race to the bottom.”

The coalition says the decisions made in this election will determine whether or not Minnesota enacts stronger hyperscale data center protections in the upcoming legislative session.

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About No Dirty Data Centers MN

The No Dirty Data Centers MN coalition is made up of nine Minnesota nonprofit organizations and community groups working together to advocate for stronger statewide oversight and regulation of hyperscale data centers.

Coalition members include:

photo credit: Devon Young Cupery

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

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Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the American Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, canning local produce, and making kombucha.