Minnesota could avert "ban on keys" with deal to tweak toxic metals law
State of play: A provision granting key makers a three-year exemption to the state ban on items containing certain levels of lead and cadmium made it into a sweeping commerce finance and policy bill finalized this week.
After the three years, the lead limit for keys would be lowered to the same limit in place in California.
Catch up fast: Critics, including the home security, boat and auto industries, spent much of the recent session sounding the alarm about their ability to comply with the 2023 law, which was meant to protect kids and workers from exposure to toxic elements.
They said a lack of "commercially viable" alternative materials meant the sale of most common keys would be illegal.
What they're saying: The Minnesota Retailers Association applauded the agreement as "a realistic and responsible transition that keeps homes, vehicles, and workplaces secure."
"We're especially appreciative that lawmakers are poised to keep common household keys legal, striking a balance between protecting Minnesotans and recognizing how today's locking systems work," president Bruce Nustad said in a statement.
The fine print: The agreement also exempts cadmium paint from the ban, in response to outcry from artists.
What's next: The draft bill, released by an informal legislative working group on Thursday, is expected to get a vote when legislators return for a special session to finish the state budget.
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Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Not just electricity — water supplies will be taxed by data centers
Construction continues on the sprawling Rosemount Data Center on land bought by Meta near Dakota County Technical College, shown Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) Americans are becoming well acquainted with data centers' use of electricity via their utility bills, but the power-hungry warehouses that fuel our insatiable appetite for memes, movies, pics and posts is thirsty for an even more important resource: water. One large-scale data center can consume as much water as 12,000 households, according to the the Alliance for the Great Lakes. 'We are going to see more water conflicts as the data center sector expands at the same time as we see an expansion of irrigated agriculture into areas that haven't needed it as much,' said Helena Volzer, a water policy manager for Alliance for the Great Lakes, in an interview. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources order temporarily barring new or expanded irrigation allowances along Little Rock Creek portends broader conflicts over groundwater use across the Great Lakes region, the Alliance said in a report released Wednesday. The DNR's April 2024 order found 'substantial evidence' that agricultural irrigation and other authorized uses harmed the Mississippi River tributary, which runs along the boundary of Benton and Morrison counties in central Minnesota. Elsewhere in the region, proposed mines, factories and data centers threaten to deplete the underground aquifers that supply up to 40% of the Great Lakes' volume — and drinking water reserves for nearly three-quarters of Minnesotans. Climate change, the artificial intelligence race, and pressure to mine and manufacture more on U.S. soil mean 'we are seeing a convergence of increasing water demand from different sources,' said Volzer, who spent a year compiling the report. Data centers with evaporative cooling systems, in particular, can consume vast amounts of water. Though most of Minnesota lies outside the Great Lakes basin, Volzer said the concerns raised in the report apply to other major watersheds, too. Minnesota statute allows the DNR to limit groundwater appropriations in designated groundwater management areas. But it can only take that step after determining that groundwater draws hurt nearby surface waters, as it did last year in the Little Rock Creek case, or when 'there are competing demands among existing and proposed users which exceed the reasonably available waters,' Volzer said in the report. That restricts the DNR to act only in situations where actual or proposed water withdrawals clearly impact people and businesses. In her report, Volzer advised Minnesota lawmakers to expand the state's groundwater protection law to let the DNR intervene when water appropriations are 'likely' to impact surface or groundwater reserves. State legislators passed a series of water protection laws earlier this decade after a Lakeville-based rail company proposed shipping 500 million gallons of Dakota County groundwater each year to the U.S. Southwest, said state Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul. (The DNR shot down that proposal.) Proactive measures will help states like Minnesota get ahead of a fast-growing IT industry whose environmental impacts remain unclear, Volzer said. In her report, Volzer advised states to fund studies of expected water demand and groundwater resources, while expanding water use reporting requirements. That could give state and local authorities more insight into where large IT facilities could be located without unduly stressing aquifers, she told the Reformer. The ag industry's political sway could complicate further legislation to manage Minnesota's groundwater, Hansen said. 'Big Ag makes water law changes hard because some legislators are susceptible to 'cropaganda,'' he said. Thirsty data centers have already caused political backlash in Georgia, where residents on private wells near Atlanta say a new Meta facility has rendered their water 'undrinkable.' Meta is spending $800 million to build another data center in Rosemount, southeast of the Twin Cities. The city says that facility could draw 100,000 gallons of groundwater per day at peak capacity, or one Olympic swimming pool every six days, the Star Tribune reported in April. Data centers proposed for Chaska and Farmington could use 15 and 24 times more than Meta's Rosemount hub, the Strib reported, though Chaska's water manager assured the paper that the city can handle the added demand. 'We don't have a good sense of the water footprint of a data center right now,' Volzer said. That's due to the fact that data center developers require city officials to sign nondisclosure agreements before moving forward, she said, and because data center designs vary widely and continue to evolve. 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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: Op-ed about Boundary Waters misleads readers about mining in northeast Minnesota
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We also know how stringent our environmental standards are, with the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) already having strict protections in place and a buffer zone surrounding the wilderness where industrial activity is not allowed. It's puzzling that mining opponents continue to hypothesize about whether a new mine will affect the environment when proposed mining projects must meet high standards through an exhaustive yearslong process before earning permits to construct a mine. Further, Minnesota agencies that oversee mining have upheld the stringency of those standards when challenged by mining opponents in court. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources stated in a 2023 order that the regulation that governs mining 'in conjunction with other existing state and federal environmental protection laws, is adequate to protect the BWCAW from potential water, air, and other impacts from nonferrous mining.' I've seen firsthand that companies like Twin Metals Minnesota have for decades made meticulous efforts to not simply comply with our rigorous regulations, but also to go above and beyond by investing in innovative technology for the next generation of mining. Mining in Minnesota is done in an environmentally sound way; it also benefits Minnesotans across the state through education funding and tax revenue, it provides the materials for technologies we all use in our everyday lives, and it helps us move away from relying on mining elsewhere in the world where child labor is used and environmental standards don't exist. Economic growth, less reliance on foreign adversaries for our supply chain needs, enforcement of strict environmental laws and no reliance on child labor? Those sound like good politics to for keeping the threat to Minnesota's Boundary Waters alive for your readers. Those who don't live in Minnesota perhaps are unaware of the problem with keeping groundwater clean. Unlike Illinois, northern Minnesota doesn't have layers of black dirt and deep recesses of clay underneath the land surface. Impurities don't percolate in the the soil as is the case in Illinois. My father-in-law was a utilities manager of a northern Minnesota city. He had a terrible time cleaning up waste water before releasing it downstream. When you flushed your toilet, the results could end up a few hours later in Minneapolis after passing through the sand and rock subsoil. Can you imagine the damage a copper mine could do!It was certainly appropriate for the Tribune Editorial Board to recognize escalating gerrymandering as a threat to democracy ('Gerrymandering now truly is a dangerous threat to American democracy,' Aug. 10). It's not good, and a positive move toward a national bipartisan solution is warranted. While gerrymandering has been going on for a long time, what we need is a solution, an escalation of the scourge and its threats to our democracy. 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The right to vote is facing mounting challenges, particularly for voters of color, seniors, people with disabilities, and young or first-time voters. In this climate, the role of local election officials has never been more critical, as county and municipal clerk's offices remain on the front lines of democracy. At the Cook County clerk's office, we are committed to leading by example. That means leaning in on our efforts to expand voter education and outreach, particularly in underserved communities. It also means making voting more accessible by increasing early voting locations and reducing language barriers to ensure that every eligible voter can make their voice heard, regardless of where they live or what language they speak. In next year's gubernatorial election, we are also planning a first-of-its-kind early voting initiative at several suburban high schools to engage and empower first-time voters. We also continue to work to protect trust in our elections through tools such as our Trusted Source webpage, which offers clear, accurate information about election integrity and how your vote is protected. And, as your clerk, I am also advocating for legislative reforms in Springfield that will make voting easier and safer for all eligible residents. Democracy doesn't just live in Washington — it lives right here in Cook County in every polling place and with every ballot cast.
Business Wire
05-08-2025
- Business Wire
Local Credit Unions Unite to Fight Financial Fraud with Free Community Seminar
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As financial scams grow more prevalent and sophisticated, eight Twin Cities-area credit unions are joining forces with Woodbury Public Safety to host a free educational seminar to empower community members to recognize and prevent fraud. Eight Twin Cities-area credit unions and Woodbury Public Safety are teaming up to host a free community event offering expert fraud prevention tips, secure document shredding and electronic recycling to empower community members to fight financial fraud. Share The "Credit Unions Fighting Fraud" seminar will take place on Saturday, August 16, from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Open to everyone in the community, the event will offer practical tips from public safety and financial experts on safeguarding personal information and recognizing common fraud tactics. Attendees are encouraged to bring up to five bags or boxes of sensitive personal documents for free shredding and recycling of small electronic devices, ensuring secure disposal of personal data. 'Fraud is an issue affecting all our communities, and there's tremendous strength in collaboration,' said Dave Larson, President and CEO of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union. 'Scams are getting more sophisticated, and it's easy to get caught off guard. Together with our fellow credit unions and community partners, we are committed to equipping Minnesotans with the knowledge and resources they need to protect themselves.' Expert speakers will include representatives from the City of Woodbury Public Safety, Minnesota Commerce Department, AARP and Wings Financial Credit Union. Attendees will have opportunities to ask questions and interact directly with fraud prevention specialists. Participating credit unions include: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union City & County Credit Union Expedition Credit Union Heartland Credit Union Ideal Credit Union Novation Financial Royal Credit Union Wings Financial Credit Union To reserve a spot, attendees can register for the event via EventBrite. About Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Based in St. Paul, Minn., Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that puts people first above profits. Members of Affinity Plus receive maximum value through competitive rates, minimal fees, and unique, member-centric products and programs. Established in 1930, Affinity Plus has 34 branches located throughout Minnesota and is owned by more than 280,000 members. Affinity Plus has more than $4.3 billion in assets. Additional information is available at or by calling (800) 322-7228.
