Minnesota HF4990: Criteria for preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for certain data centers modified, data centers' electricity sales exempted in calculating a utility's solar energy standard, other data center exemptions provided, and data center energy generation redundancy provided.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to data centers; modifying the criteria for preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for certain data centers; exempting certain data centers' electricity sales in calculating a utility's solar energy standard; exempting certain data centers from paying a fee; exempting certain data centers from paying sales tax on electricity purchases; providing for data center energy generation redundancy; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 116D.04, subdivision 4a; 216B.02, by adding a subdivision; 216B.243, subdivision 8; 216I.02, by adding a subdivision…

From the introduced text, April 16, 2026:

A bill for an act relating to data centers; modifying the criteria for preapplication evaluations of water appropriations for certain data centers; exempting certain data centers' electricity sales in calculating a utility's solar energy standard; exempting certain data centers from paying a fee; exempting certain data centers from paying sales tax on electricity purchases; providing for data center energy generation redundancy; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 116D.04, subdivision 4a; 216B.02, by adding a subdivision; 216B.243, subdivision 8; 216I.02, by adding a subdivision; 216I.07, subdivision 2; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, sections 103G.265, subdivision 5; 216B.02, subdivision 12; 216B.1623; 216B.1691, subdivision 2f; 216B.72; 216I.07, subdivision 3; 297A.68, subdivision 42. Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 103G.265, subdivision 5, is amended to read: Subd. 5. Preapplication evaluation of certain water appropriation projects. (a) This subdivision applies to a data center, as defined in section 216B.02, subdivision 11, whose proposed new text begin [ADDED: net increase in ] new text end consumptive use exceeds 100,000,000 gallons per year and which requires a permit amendment or a new individual permit. (b) In response to a contact from a data center regarding a project that is likely to be subject to this subdivision, the department may request preapplication information from the data center that is helpful in assisting the department to assess the factors affecting …