Finnish group alleges illegal logging at Google data centre sites

Suspected illegal logging has taken place at Google data centre construction sites in Muhos and Kajaani, the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation told STT, Yle reports.

Forestry work began months ago at the sites of two new data centres commissioned by Google, in Leppiniemi in Muhos, Northern Ostrobothnia, and Otanmäki in Kajaani, Kainuu. Environmental impact assessments for both projects are still incomplete.

STT confirmed the matter with the Permits and Supervision Agency, which has launched an investigation. At the Otanmäki site, the agency must still determine whether the area of the clear-cutting exceeds the threshold requiring an environmental impact assessment.

Environmental impact assessment procedures apply to projects and changes that are likely to have significant environmental effects. Under Finnish law, permanent clear-cutting involving more than 200 hectares of changed land use must undergo an assessment before the work begins.

Hanna Halmeenpää, chair of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, described the case as serious and unprecedented in Finland.

“Either this is gross incompetence by Google’s Finnish project company, Tuike Finland Oy, or gross disregard for Finnish law, or, at worst, both,” she told STT.

Google says it followed forestry law

Google communications manager Michiel Sallaets denied in a written statement to STT that the company had acted unlawfully at the sites.

“Trees have been felled on Google-owned land in Muhos and Kajaani fully in accordance with the requirements of the Forest Act,” the statement said.

Google also said that extensive nature surveys had been carried out as part of the zoning and environmental impact assessment processes. According to the company, the surveys covered the entire area and ensured that valuable natural areas would be protected during the forestry work.

The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation has asked the Permits and Supervision Agency to investigate the matter. It is also demanding that construction work at the Muhos data centre site be suspended until the environmental impact assessment has been completed.

Google announced last week that it would invest 13 billion euros in data centres and related infrastructure in Finland over the next two years. The company described it as its largest single investment in Europe. Experts interviewed by STT have said that the full amount would not remain in Finland.

In light of the alleged shortcomings, Halmeenpää questioned Google’s public reputation for responsible investment.

“Judgment and control have failed badly,” she said.