Data center case hearing will set the stage for next steps
A Goodhue County District Court hearing is scheduled for a lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) against the city of Pine Island and Ryan Companies US, LLC. The lawsuit challenges the environmental review process for Project Skyway, a proposed technology park that includes a data center operated by Google. The hearing will determine the next steps in the legal process, which previously included a temporary restraining order halting construction.
A Goodhue County District Court hearing on Thursday, June 18, will address a lawsuit against the development of Project Skyway, a 482-acre technology and industrial park in Pine Island, Minnesota, intended to host a hyperscale data center operated by Google.
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) filed the lawsuit in October 2025 against the city of Pine Island and developer Ryan Companies US, LLC, arguing that the city's alternative urban areawide review (AUAR) was insufficient for a project of this scale and environmental impact. MCEA advocates for a more stringent environmental impact statement (EIS).
Judge Patrick Biren previously issued a temporary restraining order, halting construction which was initially planned for July 2026. The upcoming hearing will determine whether further discovery is needed or if parties will be given a deadline to submit motions for summary judgment, setting the timeline for the ongoing legal dispute.