Finland orders halt to work on Google’s data center sites

Finland's environmental watchdog LVV ordered Google's local partner, Tuike Finland, to halt work at two data center sites in Muhos and Kajaani by October 23 after finding hundreds of hectares of forest had been cleared without the mandatory environmental impact assessment. The sites are part of Google's announced 13 billion euro investment in Finnish digital infrastructure, which the company calls its single biggest in Europe.

LVV's environment department head said trees were removed, topsoil stripped, roads built and ditches altered before any assessment was completed; a conservation group chair described logging in areas meant to be preserved. Google spokesman Sondre Ronander said the company 'fell short of our own high standards' while insisting it acted in good faith and conducted its own surveys.

Finland's climate minister called the situation serious if the claims against the company and its subcontractors hold up. Tuike Finland must explain itself to regulators by October 14 or face possible enforcement proceedings.

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