Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to exclude data centers from being included in the calculation of gross annual retail energy sales for energy conservation and optimization purposes. This aims to adjust how energy sales statistics are compiled and reported by utilities in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Definition of Data Center: The bill defines a data center as a freestanding structure that primarily houses electronic equipment used for processing, storing, and transmitting digital information.

• Exclusion from Energy Sales Calculation: Data centers, along with some other facilities, are specified not to be counted in a utility's gross annual retail energy sales. Specifically, data centers that have a peak electrical demand of at least 40% of the peak demand on a utility's system (and provide verification of this status) are excluded.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill amends an existing Minnesota statute to introduce a new subdivision that explicitly excludes data centers from gross annual retail energy sales calculations. This exclusion parallels existing exemptions for large energy facilities and certain gas and electric utilities.

Relevant Terms

data centers, energy conservation, energy optimization, gross annual retail energy sales, utility sales, Minnesota statutes, data mining facilities, peak electrical demand, energy exclusion, freestanding structure.