Mayors back halt to Google data centre work

Mayors in Kajaani and Muhos accept an order to suspend significant preparatory work at Google’s data centre projects, though they expect the pause to delay progress, Yle reports. Finland’s Permit and Supervisory Authority told Google subsidiary Tuike Finland to stop work that significantly changes the environment until the projects’ environmental impact assessment procedures are complete.

The halted work includes clearing trees, removing topsoil and building access roads and storage areas. The authority began investigating activity in Kajaani and Muhos after allegations emerged that illegal logging had taken place at the construction sites.

Kajaani Mayor Terho Savolainen said the project’s preparation and permit process had “not gone entirely as expected”. He said the city takes the authorities’ position seriously and that all assessments and procedures must be carried out properly and in accordance with the law. Savolainen said the order would delay the project, but he did not believe it changed the project’s fundamentals.

Muhos Municipal Manager Kimmo Hinno said he understood the authority’s reasoning but did not believe Google had deliberately broken the law. He said the project had already created significant employment effects in the Oulu region and provided a clear boost to Muhos.

Hinno said the delay could give the municipality more time to prepare for a housing shortage. The projects’ zoning plans have been approved in both municipalities but appealed to the administrative court. He said he hoped the project would be delayed rather than abandoned, adding that a complete withdrawal would feel “like a nightmare”.