👩‍💻 Explaining data centers

WTH is a data center (and why are they so controversial?)

I’m going to be honest, I had no idea what a data center was until recently. But with 39 proposed in Minnesota, debates about energy usage, secret NDAs, AI, and even how these centers look are unfolding at city halls across the state. On today’s show, we talk to public policy expert Elise Harrington and law professor James Coleman from the University of Minnesota about what residents should know when a tech company comes a-knockin’. [🎧 City Cast Twin Cities / Star Tribune]

• What it is: Not all data centers are made equal. Coleman said there are the more established enterprise data centers, which range from using 10-50 megawatts of power at a time. The newer centers making waves right now are hyperscale or AI data centers, which is like adding a city the size of St. Paul to the power grid. They can use up to 300 megawatts – crucially drawing on a municipality’s power system.
• Why it matters: Minnesota doesn’t have any hyperscale facilities in operation yet, but there’s definitely interest. Residents of Hermantown outside of Duluth are campaigning to stop Google’s 1.8 million-square-foot hyperscale center. Local governments must weigh concerns with tech companies' promises of new jobs and other economic benefits. [Racket]
• What lawmakers are doing: Legislators have proposed a data center moratorium until the state can do more research. That seems unlikely to pass this session. However, data center skeptics might have more hope in a bill that would prohibit cities from entering into some NDAs. [MinnPost]

Welcome: Transplants, we’re so happy you’re here! Here’s what we forgot to tell you. Host Sean McPherson whipped up a guide for Twin Cities newbies so you never say an “ope” out of place. And today’s episode features a conversation all about you, too! [City Cast Twin Cities]

Rent relief: Beginning mid-April, the city of Minneapolis is making $1 million available for emergency rental assistance. The city will eventually have a total of $6 million to distribute. Funds will be available through Hennepin County, which is partnering with three nonprofits that serve communities disproportionately impacted by immigration enforcement. [Sahan Journal]

Judge alert: Madison McVan reports right-wing conspiracist and lawyer Nathan Hansen is one of Minnesota’s new immigration judges. Hansen was appointed by a division of the Department of Justice. To sum up his immigration stance, he posted on Facebook in January: “I want more ICE.” [Minnesota Reformer]

THIS IS FOR (K-pop fans): Did you know this past Sunday was TWICE Day? Chenue Her reports that St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her honored the biggest K-Pop group to ever perform in Minnesota over the weekend with their very own day. Send us pics if you went! [FOX 9]

Kudos: Our friends at Sahan Journal received this year’s Columbia Journalism Award for their reporting on Operation Metro Surge. They have been indispensable in helping Minnesotans understand how immigration enforcement is impacting their neighbors. Congratulations on this very well-deserved award! [Sahan Journal]

Monday, April 13

• 🎬 MSPIFF 45 | The Main Cinema
• 🎤 Chicks In Charge | The Hook and Ladder Theater
• 🆓 Free Yoga at Union Depot | Union Depot
• 🆓 Uproar Comedy Open Mic | Bryant Lake Bowl
• 🆓 MN Hard Bop Collective Jazz Performance Workshops | MetroNOME Brewery
• 🎷 L.A.'s Monday Nights | Icehouse
• 🎺 West Bank Social Club | Memory Lanes

Tuesday, April 14

• 🆓 Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day | Ben & Jerry's
• 🤘 Bleed from Within | Varsity Theater
• 🎸 Big Ocean | Fine Line
• 🆓 Attica Locke and Celeste Ng in Conversation | Carlson Family Stage at Northrop
• 🎬 Demolition Man (1993) 35mm | The Parkway Theater
• 🎼 Horse Vision with Lipticism | The Cedar Cultural Center
• 🆓 The Old Town Tuesday Night Jam | Whitey's Old Town Saloon

• Director of Litigation at Housing Justice Center | $102k – $112k per year
• Marketing and Communications Coordinator at MN Office of Higher Ed | $61k – $89k per year
• Executive Director of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Practice at University of Minnesota | $100k – $120k per year
• Visiting Assistant Professor, Music at University of St. Thomas | $65k – $70k per year
• Arts Operations and Rental Coordinator at Lundstrum Performing Arts | $55k – $62k per year