Google says its Minnesota data center will protect ratepayers

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorShould you be worried about the Google data center going up in Pine Island, Minnesota?

2. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA town of about four thousand people, seventy miles southeast of Minneapolis.

3. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe data center is seven hundred eighty megawatts. Google's deal adds nineteen hundred megawatts of new clean energy, which is more than it will use.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo that's a generous supply, a thoughtful surplus. Google's energy chief says the goal is that other ratepayers don't pick up extra costs.

5. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorMinnesota's Attorney General, Keith Ellison, says other customers could owe millions, possibly more than a billion dollars.

6. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorHis office says Xcel redacted almost all the dollar amounts.

7. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAlmost all?

8. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAlmost all. A court also halted construction after an environmental lawsuit.

9. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo we have a huge battery, a lawsuit, and a bill in black marker.

10. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorXcel says Google is funding it at no cost to existing customers, so I'd call the price a private moment.

11. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorVerdict: mildly worried, and bring a flashlight to read the bill.

12. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorRex, how many megawatts does it take to power a bench?