Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

An environmental advocacy group plans to sue Hennepin County over toxic ash from the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center’s trash incinerator, alleging non-compliance with state law requiring a solid waste plan to address ash toxicity and volume. The group claims the county’s 2024-2029 Solid Waste Management Plan does not address incinerator ash, despite documented pollution concerns, and the city of Minneapolis approved a 2027 closure resolution for the facility.

Pine Island Mayor David Friese resigned ahead of a data center lawsuit hearing, citing growing work commitments. The city council will appoint a temporary mayor, and a lawsuit challenging the proposed data center remains ongoing.