In the last couple of years, at least a dozen data centers have been proposed across Minnesota.

These are the facilities that power artificial intelligence, store medical data and save your family photos to the cloud.

Data centers have promised jobs and investment in local communities, ranging from Twin Cities suburbs like Rosemount and Farmington, to small rural towns like Cannon Falls and Hermantown. 

But there are concerns about how they could impact the local electrical grid and water supply.

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert talks with her guests about the resources these centers use and what that means for Minnesota communities.

Guests:

• Gabriel Chan is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota studying policy and institutions related to clean energy transitions and the environment. He’s also the co-director of the Center for Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy and the Electric Cooperative Innovation Center at the University of Minnesota. 
• Kathryn Hoffman is the CEO of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. She leads a group of lawyers who take cases around the state to protect Minnesota’s environment. Currently her team has lawsuits against the cities of Faribault, Lakeville and North Mankato for a lack of transparency around data centers. 

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.