Glossary & Acronyms

AUAR - Alternative Urban Areawide Review
Alternative Urban Areawide Review - process used to analyze the environmental impact of future development across a large area. General used to assess multiple scenarios. Essentially combines EAW and EIS process

CBA - Community Benefits Agreement

CUP - Conditional Use Permit

DNR - MN Department of Natural Resources

DOE - Department of Energy

EAW - Environmental Assessment Worksheet
A worksheet that lays out the basic facts of a proposed project to see if a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required.

EDA - Economic Development Authority

EIS - Environmental Impact Statement
A comprehensive government document that outlines the potential environmental effects of a proposed major project and evaluates alternative actions.

EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

EQB - Environmental Quality Board
A state agency that coordinates environmental policy and oversees the environmental review process for projects in Minnesota. https://www.eqb.state.mn.us/

ERB - Environmental Review Board

FUBAR - Our plan for data center developers and BIG Tech! ;)

MCEA - MN Center for Environmental Advocacy

MISO - Midcontinent Independent System Operator

MPCA - MN Pollution Control Agency

NDA - Non-Disclosure Agreement
A legally binding contract that prevents parties from sharing specific confidential information with others. It is used to protect sensitive data like trade secrets, business strategies, and client information from being disclosed to people not authorized by the agreement.

OAA - Orderly Annexation Agreement

PITA - What we are (and will continue to be) for Google and Ryan Co. :)

Plat - A plat map, also known as a "plat," shows you how a tract of land is divided into lots in your county. It is drawn to scale and records the land's size, boundary locations, nearby streets, flood zones, and any easements or rights of way.

PUC - Public Utilities Commission

PUD - Planned Unit Development -Typically includes a mixed zoning scenario.

RGU - Responsible Governmental Unit  (or in our case, irresponsible)