Dive Brief:
- A Minnesota judge halted construction activity on a Google data center campus in Pine Island, Minnesota, according to a May 22 temporary restraining order sought by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.
- Goodhue County District Court Judge Patrick Biren found the environmental group’s challenge raised sufficient questions about whether the environmental review process on the project complied with state requirements.
- The ruling pauses work on the proposed 482-acre campus, dubbed Project Skyway, that would include at least 100 acres of data center development, according to the court document.
Dive Insight:
Minneapolis-based Ryan Cos., the general contractor on the project, estimates delays to the project could cost the firm about $5 million or more, according to the order.
“We are currently reviewing the judge’s order in detail to determine our next steps,” Ryan Cos. said in a statement.
Google announced in February its investment into Pine Island, according to a news release. Xcel Energy announced the same day it would power the new data center. Neither firm disclosed the total project cost.
A key issue in the dispute revolves around whether the project should undergo additional environmental review procedures, according to the order.
“MCEA argues Project Skyway could be built without adequate environmental review,” the order states. “Further, MCEA’s challenge to the environmental review process would be moot if construction begins.”
The court also expressed concern about the handling of records requests under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. If construction moves forward, MCEA would have “no opportunity to review the data requested that is determined to be required to be disclosed.”
“MCEA has made a showing of possible success on the merits,” according to the court document. “This factor, therefore, favors granting the [temporary restraining order.]”
