Settlement reached in Pine Island data center lawsuit
Google, Ryan Companies and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy reached a settlement resolving a lawsuit over the proposed Pine Island data center. The project must undergo a new environmental review by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and construction cannot begin until the agency and Pine Island City Council approve the resulting mitigation plan.
The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy agreed to dismiss its lawsuit against Google and Ryan Companies over the proposed Pine Island data center after the parties reached a settlement. The agreement follows a Goodhue County judge’s temporary restraining order halting construction and requires the project to undergo a new Environmental Assessment Worksheet reviewed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The review will examine potential water and energy use, noise, light pollution and other community and environmental impacts. Google and Ryan Companies will develop a mitigation plan for review by the MPCA and Pine Island City Council, with residents and other agencies expected to receive an extended public-comment period. Construction cannot proceed until the plan is approved, while the developers said prior city approvals remain valid and the project can move forward through the additional review.