A controversial proposed Google data center in Pine Island will be the first in Minnesota to undergo a new, more-robust environmental review as part of a lawsuit settlement reached this week.
The data center, known as Project Skyway, has been on hold for months after the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) filed a lawsuit, arguing that the original environmental review of the proposal wasn’t thorough enough. The nonprofit said that Google failed to disclose basic information about the project, including its size, scale and projected water and energy use.
The settlement, approved in a unanimous vote by the Pine Island City Council on Wednesday, puts an end to the litigation involving the city, MCEA and Ryan Companies, the project developer. It mandates a new environmental assessment under the supervision of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
More articles on the topic:
- KSTP: Proposed data center in Pine Island will undergo a new environmental review due to settlement
- KROC: City of Pine Island Approves Settlement of Lawsuit That Halted Development of Google Data Center
- MN Star Tribune: Minnesota to scrutinize Google data center’s environmental impact
- KAAL: Settlement reached in Pine Island data center lawsuit
- Post Bulletin: Pine Island City Council approves settlement in data center lawsuit