Minnesota AG office raises concerns over Google’s Pine Island data center
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office is challenging an electricity supply agreement between Xcel Energy and Google for Google's proposed Pine Island data center. The office says the deal could shift up to billions of dollars in costs to households and small businesses and is asking the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to withhold approval until Xcel provides more information and transparency.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office submitted comments to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission opposing approval of a proposed 15-year electricity agreement between Xcel Energy and Google for a data center in Pine Island. The office said Xcel has not demonstrated that Google would cover all costs associated with the facility or protect other customers from stranded costs if Google reduces power use or leaves the system.
The Attorney General's Office said its review indicates the agreement could cost other ratepayers nearly $1 billion, contrary to Xcel's estimate of more than $1.1 billion in savings. It also criticized Xcel for redacting much of the filing's cost information and asked the utility to explain or remove the redactions. The commission, which has authority under a 2025 Minnesota law to approve, modify or reject utility agreements with major customers, was asked not to approve the deal until the financial and transparency concerns are addressed.