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Understanding the Nexus of Energy and Water in Rural Minnesota

PEG FURSHONG

NATURAL & WORKING LANDS - WATER

Minnesota Ground Water Association

Spring Conference 2025

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Overview

  • What have we heard or learned thus far today that we need to note?
  • Data Centers in Minnesota
  • The Nexus of Energy and Water
  • Challenges in Minnesota
  • Gaps to flag
  • Things we can do better

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Data Centers in Minnesota

1) Data Centers – we have had them in Minnesota for awhile –

60 data centers in 8 markets

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      • Alexandria – 1
      • Bemidji – 1
      • St. Cloud – 1
      • Braham – 1
      • Cambridge – 1
      • St. Paul – 1
      • Duluth – 2
      • Minneapolis - 52

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Nexus of Energy and Water in Minnesota

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The Water – Energy Nexus

Water for Energy

Energy for Water

Hydropower

Thermo electric

Cooling

Extraction & Refining

Fuel Production

(Ethanol, hydrogen)

Wastewater

Treatment

Energy Associate with Uses of Water

Extraction and Transmission

Drinking Water

Treatment

Pacific Institute

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Two types of Projects in Minnesota to Review

Data Centers

  • Extremely Energy & Water Intensive
  • Redundancies for both
  • Cost/Value of Water
  • NDA’s
  • Lack of Transparency
  • RGU

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Carbon Capture – CO2 Pipelines

  • Summit Carbon Solutions project in MN
  • Location of footprint
  • Water footprint
  • CO2 + H20
  • Risks

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Challenges for Minnesota

Public Perception – Land of 10,000 Lakes

Water Governance or Oversight is fractured

Cumulative impacts

- SF 3015 – Water Atlas bill

Permitting Process - Reset

- Prioritize Water

Cost of water

- accountability – flow meters

Environmental Justice Implications

Using lessons learned from other parts of the country

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Thank you��Peg Furshong�Natural & Working Lands - Water

320-269-2985

peg@curemn.org

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