In the heart of Rice County, Minnesota, where we cherish our tight-knit community and vibrant natural landscape, the proposal to build data centers threatens the very essence of our home. Personally, this issue hits close to my heart as a resident who has seen firsthand the impact such projects can have. Data centers may seem like a beacon of modern progress, but the reality is far grimmer.

Data centers require massive amounts of energy and water to operate, putting a strain on our local resources and driving utility costs up for everyone. In a place where every dollar counts, the increased financial burden on taxpayers is a significant concern. It is reported that data centers can devour as much electricity as a small town, leading to higher power costs for maintenance from tax payers, and potential blackouts, especially during peak usage.

Furthermore, the environmental impact cannot be ignored. Minnesota is home to pristine lakes and lush landscapes that could be adversely affected by the pollution generated from such operations. From increased noise, air, and water pollution to the heat island effect, the construction of data centers has far-reaching consequences on our environment.

Instead of covering our fields with monolithic structures, we should prioritize investments in sustainable infrastructure that bolster our community without compromising our natural surroundings. Let us encourage the development technologies that align with Minnesota’s legacy of environmental stewardship.

Join me in urging local authorities to reconsider this decision. Let’s voice our concerns and protect the future of Rice County for generations to come. Stand with us in opposing the construction of data centers here in our home. Please sign this petition to safeguard the beauty and integrity of Rice County.

An ordinance establishing a moratorium on new or planned data centers; requiring the Economic Development Authority and Environmental Commission of

the City to submit a report.
Section 1. DATA CENTER MORATORIUM.

(a) For the purpose of this section, "data center" has the meaning given in Faribault City Ordinance or Code, or Minnesota statute sections 216B.02,
subdivision 11. Data center includes a qualified large-scale datacenter, as defined in section 297A.68, subdivision 42, paragraph (e).

(b) The local government must not issue a permit, including a conditional use

permit, for a data center until one calendar year after the Economic Development Authority and Environmental Commission of the City submits a
comprehensive report that assesses various possible scenarios for data center development in Faribault. The report must be submitted to the City Council

and Mayor for public review during public comment periods outlined in section (6)
(c) In addition to assessing various possible scenarios for data center development, the

report must:

(1) include findings with respect to:
(i) data center energy usage;
(ii) data center water usage;
(iii) data center metals usage;
(iv) localized impacts by data centers;
(v) waste and recycling handling by data centers;

(v) data center impacts on federal- and state-listed species, and species of special concern; and
(2) analyze how and for what purpose data centers built in Faribault are being used;
(3) analyze the economic impact data centers have at the local level. The analysis must

include the impact on:

(i) employment; for long- and short-term employment opportunity

(ii) property taxes; and
(iii) economic activity;

(4) analyze the economic impact data centers have at the City level. The analysis must

include:

(i) the amount of income tax revenue generated from jobs created by data centers.

(ii) the amount of tax expenditures, as defined in Minnesota Statute section 270C.11, subdivision 6, provided to data centers; and

(iii) other potential economic impacts.

(5) identify suitable locations for data centers that minimize disruption to residential
areas, limit the impacts on residential utility infrastructure, and ensure data centers are not
concentrated in one region. When considering suitable locations, the report must consider:

(i) whether existing infrastructure is available and suitable for data center use, in order to eliminate the need to construct new infrastructure; and

(ii) the cumulative impacts on water use, noise, and light; and
(6) analyze other data center-related risks that are identified through no fewer than two

public comment periods.

(i) A third-party contractor hired to develop the report must complete a conflict of

interest evaluation to ensure the contractor does not work for or receive funding from a data center developer.

(7) Data Centers found in operation exceeding consumption of resources and/or not meeting employment opportunity outlined in the report will be found in

violation of these findings,

(i) Cost accrued by the City or Residents must be compensated in full monetary value for any violation leading to expenditure accrued by the city/resident

within one (1) calendar year of the violation.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.