Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy

A Minnesota court paused Google's planned data center in Pine Island amid opposition from a citizen group, highlighting broader legal challenges against data centers in the state. Lawsuits, led by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, allege inadequate environmental reviews and lack of public transparency in project approvals.

A lawsuit by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has paused construction of Project Skyway, a data center in Pine Island, due to claims of inadequate environmental review. Residents are divided, with some supporting the project's tax revenue benefits and others opposing it over transparency and environmental concerns.

Minnesota faces a pivotal legal moment in its six-year lawsuit against major oil companies over climate deception, with the Trump administration intervening to block the state case. The federal government argues the lawsuit threatens national energy policy, while Minnesota and climate advocates claim it aims to hold oil companies accountable for misleading the public about climate impacts.

An environmental advocacy group plans to sue Hennepin County over toxic ash from the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center’s trash incinerator, alleging non-compliance with state law requiring a solid waste plan to address ash toxicity and volume. The group claims the county’s 2024-2029 Solid Waste Management Plan does not address incinerator ash, despite documented pollution concerns, and the city of Minneapolis approved a 2027 closure resolution for the facility.

Pine Island Mayor David Friese resigned ahead of a data center lawsuit hearing, citing growing work commitments. The city council will appoint a temporary mayor, and a lawsuit challenging the proposed data center remains ongoing.