Amazon must prove it needs 250 diesel generators at Becker data center, Minnesota utility regulators say

By District Energy posted 03-03-2025 16:17

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Summary

Minnesota utility regulators on Friday said Amazon must prove it needs 250 backup diesel generators at its proposed data center in Becker.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted 4-0 to reject the tech giant’s request for an exemption from a “Certificate of Need.” It’s a first-of-its-kind test of how the state will regulate a wave of giant server farms.

The issue has spilled over to the Legislature, where Republicans have advanced a bill to exempt Amazon by changing state law. Many DFLers oppose the idea.

Current Minnesota law says a power plant that can generate 50 megawatts or more of electricity must prove the infrastructure is necessary and that no cheaper, cleaner alternative exists.

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