Frequently Asked Questions

Google uses a very rigorous process to select sites, which includes factors like proximity to customers and users, local talent, land, and availability of (or potential to bring) carbon-free energy. Hermantown offers a unique combination of existing infrastructure and thoughtful planning that makes it a strong fit for this type of project.

The site is located near a major regional substation that has served the area for decades, with connections to a range of energy sources. This allows development to take place without the need for extensive new infrastructure. More broadly, Minnesota’s strong environmental standards and regulatory framework ensure that any project moving forward must meet high expectations for sustainability and community impact.

The data center campus is expected to use approximately 50,000 gallons of water per day, primarily for domestic purposes such as toilets, sinks, kitchens, showers, and washing machines. Google is considering two types of cooling technology for the project, a closed-loop or air-cooled system, both of which are water-efficient options.

If used, a closed-loop system would require a one-time water fill during construction and commissioning and would then operate as a sealed system that uses water and engineered solutions to provide cooling, similar to how a household air conditioning unit functions. Water for the campus will be supplied by the City of Hermantown. Learn more about Google's responsible water use at https://datacenters.google/water/

The project will leverage Minnesota Power’s existing power infrastructure and Google will pay all costs attributable to new power infrastructure needed, as well as protect existing customers from cost increases. The energy supply will be served under an existing Minnesota Power regulated rate structure in compliance with the Minnesota law that ensures existing customers do not pay the costs associated with connecting and serving a new large customer. In addition, Minnesota Power estimates adding the project will provide a net benefit of $600-800M to its other customers.

This project will also enable the development of 700 MW of new clean energy resources, including (300 MW of wind energy and 400 MW of battery storage), without increasing costs to customers. These additions will support progress toward Minnesota’s carbon-free standard.

Modern data centers are designed to operate quietly. At nearby homes, sound levels will remain within state guidelines. The area already includes existing sources of sound, such as rail traffic and nearby roadways. Additionally, the proposed project's acoustic study is available for viewing as well as the latest Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR).

The project team has been working closely with the City of Hermantown, St. Louis County, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation to evaluate potential traffic impacts and identify improvements needed to safely accommodate future traffic associated with the project. As a result of this collaborative planning process, several roadway and intersection upgrades will be completed.

As with any development, large or small, there are environmental considerations. Wetlands are one of those considerations as they are a natural habitat that helps regulate water flow. Along with our state and federal partners, Hermantown has a well-established process for evaluating potential impacts to wetlands, working to minimize those impacts, and offsetting those impacts within the same watershed to limit the negative environmental consequences of any development.

Through a robust environmental impact evaluation process called an Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) this project has created a plan for reducing and managing the environmental impacts. The facility and site design have gone through numerous refinements to accommodate the most critical of the natural infrastructure such as wetlands and trout streams. Stormwater ponds will be designed and built according to city and state regulations to help protect streams — in particular, trout streams — from potential impacts. This project has been designed to minimize local environmental impacts both onsite and downstream.

Looking forward, the project will comply with stringent permitting and other regulatory requirements of the Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and additional state agencies during the potential build out. The Stormwater Management Report is available for viewing.

The site will have a controlled stormwater discharge, which will be mitigated through temperature control, rate control, and stormwater management best practices. The Project will coordinate with the MPCA and MN DNR to ensure compliance with their anti-degradation policies and trout stream protections.