Google data center project in Muhos faces scrutiny over logging

Forestry activities for a Google data center project in Muhos, Finland, were reportedly conducted without a required environmental impact assessment (EIA). Correspondence between the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes/LVV) and Tuike Finland, a subsidiary representing Google in the project, indicates that while the agency stated in May that an EIA procedure was necessary, logging continued through August.

Tuike Finland had requested a screening decision in April to bypass the EIA process and expedite permit decisions. Although the agency declined to issue a specific individual decision on the necessity of the EIA, satellite data suggests that logging operations, which began in March, persisted even after official communications from regulators.

The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation has raised suspicions regarding potentially illegal logging at the Muhos and Kajaani data center sites. In response to inquiries, Tuike Finland maintained that its actions were entirely legal and compliant with forestry and building laws, noting that local building authorities had confirmed the receipt of notifications and permitted work to proceed.