Project Skyway
Ryan Companies' Project Skyway would put a Google data center of up to 3 million sq ft on a 482-acre AUAR area in Pine Island; a court halted work in May 2026 pending a lawsuit over the environmental review. Also known as: Google Pine Island data center.
Who is behind it
The record, newest first
KSTP reported construction could not begin until the court rules. (KSTP, July 24, 2026)
Judge Patrick Biren ordered Ryan Companies not to start or continue construction or pre-construction work in the AUAR area while the suit proceeds, effective once MCEA posted a $2,000 bond. MCEA says the court also denied the city's and developer's motion to dismiss. (Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, May 15, 2026; KTTC, May 26, 2026; KSTP, May 26, 2026)
Xcel Energy filed an electric service agreement with Echo Zone, LLC, a Google subsidiary, with the PUC (docket 26-170); comments ran to Sept. 8, 2026. (Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Sept. 1, 2026)
Xcel Energy announced it would serve the Google data center, with Google covering new service costs and funding 1,400 MW of wind, 200 MW of solar and 300 MW of storage through Xcel's Clean Energy Accelerator Charge. (KTTC, Feb. 24, 2026; Windtech International, Feb. 25, 2026)
The city council approved a conditional use permit for at least 100 acres of the site. (KSTP, May 26, 2026)
The city council unanimously approved the preliminary plat and development agreement. (KTTC, Dec. 16, 2025; Post Bulletin, undated)
MCEA sued the city and Ryan Companies in Goodhue County District Court, asking the court to reverse the city's approval of the AUAR. (Post Bulletin, undated; Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, May 15, 2026)
The city found the AUAR adequate. (Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, Sept. 30, 2025)
The revised AUAR was published, with comments due Sept. 16, 2025. (Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, Sept. 2, 2025)
The EQB Monitor published the draft Project Skyway AUAR for a 482-acre area with two technology center scenarios; comments were due July 17, 2025. (Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, June 17, 2025)
Conflicts and open questions
- The order date (May 22, 2026) comes from MCEA, a party to the case; KTTC and KSTP reported the order on May 26. KTTC calls it a temporary restraining order; MCEA calls it a temporary injunction.
- MW: see mw_note. The PUC decision on docket 26-170 was not found.
- Status 'stalled' reflects the court order; the land use approvals stand. Editor may prefer 'approved'.
- Coordinates approximate, north of Pine Island east of U.S. 52.
The full record
- Status note
- The city approved land use permits, but a Goodhue County judge ordered all construction and pre-construction work stopped while a challenge to the AUAR proceeds; construction had been set for July 2026.
- Power note
- MCEA, the plaintiff, says the project could need up to 2,700 MW. Xcel's service agreement is before the PUC (docket 26-170); no load figure was confirmed in a filing opened.
- Evidence
- Primary public records
- Size class
- 50 MW or more (tracker scope)