Preapplication filings for large water appropriation projects required, permit application information for large water appropriation projects added, level of environmental review for data centers specified, data centers exempted from making financial contributions to an energy conservation and optimization plan, and other data center provisions modified.

HF 2928 requires preapplication discussions with state agencies for large water projects (exceeding 100 million gallons yearly or 250,000 gallons daily) to assess water availability before final site selection. It mandates specific permit details for these projects and specifies that data center expansions of 100 megawatts or more require an environmental impact statement reviewed by the Public Utilities Commission. The bill exempts data centers from contributing to energy conservation plans and imposes a new fee on them, with revenues funding conservation efforts. These provisions directly affect developers of large water projects and data center operators in Minnesota.