Noise

Last updated 11/14/25

How much noise would the data center produce? How would this impact the nearby neighborhood?

A potential data center would be required to conform to noise levels consistent with the State of Minnesota noise standards and abide by Pine Island ordinances. The State of Minnesota’s noise rules (Minn. Rules Ch. 7030) establish noise limits by noise area classifications (NACs) based on land use at the location of the person who hears noise.

For the nearby neighborhood, this means that during a one-hour period of monitoring, daytime noise levels cannot exceed 65 dBA for more than 10 percent of the time or 60 dBA more than 50 percent of the time. Nighttime noise levels cannot exceed 55 dBA for more than 10 percent of the time or 50 dBA more than 50 percent of the time. The developer has committed to meeting the state standards noted above.

According to the noise level study conducted in the AUAR, Scenario B (technology campus), the peak Daytime noise level would be 50 dBA, and the peak Nighttime noise level would be 49 dBA. These peak levels were estimated for the nearest residential unit to the development.