RUSHFORD, Minn. — The utility co-op MiEnergy asks people not to confuse its data-center project in Harmony with larger projects whose giant developers are using sweet-talk, secrecy and strong-arm tactics to force essential local zoning changes. MiEnergy’s chief executive, Brian Krambeer calls the Harmony project “a small edge data center.” Krambeer’s assurances come amid growing alarm about ultra-scale data centers that Google and other major players are forcing on local communities. These giant players for desperate for land to install super-computers for the new Artificial Intelligence Age. The ultra-scale data centers take hundreds of acres out of agricultural production and pose environmental concerns, among which is draining aquifers for water to cool their super-heated computers. The developers promise jobs and tax revenue to local zoning authorities, whom hey bind into secrecy agreements to fast-track rezoning without public hearings and citizen review. In contrast, Krambeer described MiEnergy and its predecessor Tri-County Electric as building on an 80-year relationship of trust and transparency. He said Harmony officials are working through public processes for zoning adjustments. About grid demands that ultra-scale data centers pose, Krambeer said that MiEnergy has sufficient existing capacity without any new transmission projects. About concerns that that the electricity demands of data centers will send homeowner and other user costs soaring, Krambeer said MiEnerry already has a large-load discount rate from Dairyland Power of LaCrosse, its electricity-generating wholesale source.
Krambeer. President and chief executive of MiEnergy. The co-op has 19,000 users in southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa.
Harmony profile
In southern Fillmore County. Population 1,000. About 1,000 Swartzentuber Amish in the area, mostly in low-tech enterprises that produce furniture, baskets, rugs, quilts, jams, baked goods and cashew crunch. Niagara Cave usa nearby tourist attraction. The area sits on a major karst aquifer that moves massive amounts of water south to the Upper Iowa River. As in most of Fillmore County, farmers are dependent on the aquifer for water.