Google is illegaly cutting forest to build data centers
Finland ordered Google to pause Muhos and Kajaani datacentre work after forest clearing without completed environmental assessments.
Finland's Licensing and Supervision Authority ordered Google, via Tuike Finland Oy, to immediately suspend environment-changing preparatory work at planned datacentres in Muhos and Kajaani until environmental impact assessments are finished. Authorities said about 330 hectares of forest were felled at Muhos and just under 200 hectares logged at Kajaani, including tree removal, topsoil stripping, and site roads, as part of a reported €13 billion northern Finland buildout. Google said it understands the concerns, acted in good faith under the Forestry Act, and will follow LVV guidance, including planned tree planting across 130 hectares at Muhos. Noncompliance could lead to enforcement and a fine.
- LVV ordered preparatory work at Muhos and Kajaani suspended by 23 October.
- About 330 hectares were felled at Muhos and nearly 200 hectares logged at Kajaani.
- The sites are part of a reported €13 billion northern Finland project.
- Google said it acted under the Forestry Act and plans tree planting on 130 hectares at Muhos.
From the original article
2 min read at theguardian.com
Google has been ordered to temporarily stop work on two datacentres in Finland after failing to carry out the necessary environmental impact assessments on its construction sites. The planned datacentres in Muhos and Kajanni are part of a €13bn (£11bn) project across multiple sites in northern Finland by the technology company amid huge demand for space to house online infrastructure.
By heyimada · theguardian.com
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