Google ordered to cease work on two datacentres in Finland due to environmental worries. The planned facilities are situated in Muhos and Kajanni, both locations in northern Finland.
Tuike Finland Oy felled 330 hectares of forest in Muhos without completing an environmental impact assessment (EIA). Furthermore, logging activity covered nearly 200 hectares of land in Kajaani.
The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation claimed the sites had been reduced to "sand." The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) issued a notice requiring preparatory measures to suspend by 23 October.
Google must submit a written explanation by next Wednesday. LVV stated that Google carried out extensive preparatory work, including removing trees, stripping topsoil, and building site roads.
Tommi Muilu, the head of the environmental department at LVV, stated that these preparatory actions will alter the environment and cause impacts. The LVV warned it would consider imposing a fine and enforcement proceedings if Google fails to comply.
Google acknowledged the concerns, stating it fell short of its own high standards. Google plans to advance landscaping and biodiversity efforts, including planting trees across 130 hectares at Muhos.
Tapani Veistola, the chief operating officer at the Finnish Association for Conservation, stated the malpractice appeared to be a "systemic problem." Tapani Veistola further stated that the Muhos site is "not a forest any more. It is a sand area."
