Google drafts Hermantown data center AUAR, pledges $40 M to schools

Google filed a draft Augmented Use Authorization Request (AUAR) for its proposed Hermantown, Minnesota data center, triggering a 30‑day public comment period that closes on July 16 [1]. The filing includes a $40 million contribution to the local school district over 28 years and a $130 million investment in public infrastructure, while the company says the design will use water‑saving cooling technology.

AUAR details and community response

The draft AUAR, now available for public review, outlines the environmental and construction plans for the data center and includes a new mitigation plan. Google’s energy market development lead, Tyler Huebner, said the facility will meet Minnesota’s sound guidelines and employ “air‑cooled or closed‑loop cooling technologies that would use a lot less water than some other data centers” [1]. Google also pledged to cover 100 % of its energy costs and to bring clean energy onto the Minnesota power system [1]. Residents who attended the recent open house expressed concerns that the discussion did not address opposition questions, highlighting a power disparity between the rural district and the tech giant [1].

Financial and regulatory terms

Hermontown’s Economic Development Director Chad Ronchetti explained that the city is offering a tax abatement that would return 85 % of property taxes after the first $100 k, with a cap of $80 million in future value, effectively reducing the annual tax revenue to about $448 000 once the abatement is applied [3]. In exchange, Google commits $40 million to the local school district and $130 million toward public infrastructure, to be delivered in four phases [3]. The city council has yet to approve the abatement and development agreement pending completion of the AUAR process [3].

Environmental claims and technology

Google’s head of market development, Liz Schwab, said the data center will use a “waterless coolant system” that operates like an air conditioner, reducing water consumption compared with traditional water‑cooled facilities [3]. She noted that while air cooling increases electricity use, the company is confident in its clean‑energy procurement from Minnesota Power to offset the higher power demand [3]. Noise levels are expected to stay at or below state standards, and outdoor lighting will be directed downward to limit light pollution [3].

What to watch

• AUAR comment deadline: Public comments must be submitted by July 16 [1].
• Council decision: Hermontown City Council’s vote on the tax abatement and development agreement is expected after the AUAR review is completed.
• Cooling technology rollout: Confirmation of the final cooling system (air‑cooled vs. closed‑loop) and its water usage metrics will be disclosed in the final environmental review.

The AUAR filing marks the next regulatory step for Google’s Hermontown data center, tying substantial local financial commitments to environmental safeguards. Whether the proposed tax abatement and water‑saving design will satisfy community concerns remains to be seen as the comment period closes.