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Environmental News
Chandra Colvin
Eagan, Minn.

Eagan places 1-year pause on new data center developments

data center northeast minnesota
Opponents to a proposed data center in Hermantown left signs in the entryway to the Hermantown City Council chambers in October 2025.
Dan Kraker | MPR News

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Eagan City Council members voted unanimously on Tuesday to pause the development of new data center projects for one year. The city already has two data centers, but the moratorium focuses on development projects that would use more than 20 megawatts of electricity within 500 feet of homes.

City residents shared concerns regarding energy usage and water demands at Tuesday's council meeting.

“I've seen the city go through many, many changes, and one of them is this establishment of many data centers around city. Not only this city, but all the way around the Great Lakes area,” said Susan Johnson, a longtime Eagan resident. “I actually applaud you for becoming what I believe is the first city in Minnesota to pull back on the reins on these large data centers.”

Resident Leo Caravello stood in front of city council members and shared, “Water is a reason many data centers here today have been coming to Minnesota, and while we have an abundant supply of water, we do not have an infinite amount.”

Eagan may be the first city to vote for such a moratorium. During the year-long pause, the city plans to conduct a study and research on the impacts of data centers and cryptocurrency operations.

“We need to sort out, from my perspective, what the reality is of a larger data center in Minnesota versus the same reality of a larger data center in some place like Virginia or Georgia,” said Mayor Mike Maguire.

The year-long pause will end Feb. 17, 2027.

Chandra Colvin covers Native American communities in Minnesota for MPR News via Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues and communities.