Congressional candidate demands data center moratorium ahead of Google’s Pine Island celebration
DFL candidate Jake Johnson is demanding a moratorium on data center construction, specifically targeting Google's proposed Project Skyway in Pine Island, Minnesota. Johnson plans to voice his opposition at Google's community celebration, citing concerns over water, energy, noise, and economic benefits. Google and developer Ryan Companies are promoting the project with significant investments and job creation promises.
DFL Minnesota First Congressional District candidate Jake Johnson is advocating for a moratorium on data center construction, specifically targeting Google's Project Skyway in Pine Island. Johnson plans to address Pine Island residents at Google's community celebration for the proposed data center, where the company is expected to announce its "Panther Program" and other initiatives for the Pine Island School District, involving a projected $24 million investment.
Johnson outlined four requirements for data center project approval, including maintaining low bills, protecting natural resources and farmland, ensuring local economic gains, and ending non-disclosure agreements. He voiced constituent concerns about water consumption, energy usage, and noise pollution, dismissing Google's promises as potentially unreliable.
Google and developer Ryan Companies state that Project Skyway involves an initial $700 million capital investment, $3 million directly to the city, and over $130 million in tax revenue over 28 years, alongside job creation. They also claim the project will use less water than a residential subdivision, generate more energy than it consumes, and benefit Xcel Energy customers.
Congressman Brad Finstad, Johnson's opponent, emphasized that data center decisions should be made by local communities and leaders, advocating for full transparency from companies regarding environmental impacts, energy demands, job creation, and tax benefits, rather than a "one-size-fits-all" federal approach.