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Finland Investigates After Google Clears Forest for AI Site
Newser • • business
Key Points:
- Finnish police have launched a criminal investigation into Tuike Finland, a Google subsidiary, for allegedly clearing and draining over 800 acres of forest in Muhos without completing required environmental impact assessments.
- Early findings suggest issues with drainage and water management, prompting regulators to halt work at both the Muhos site and a second location in Otanmaki.
- The investigation coincides with Finland's consideration of 145 prospective data centers, including a $14.5 billion Google AI infrastructure project, amid growing environmental concerns.
- Environmental campaigners estimate that approximately 400,000 trees were felled across the two sites, sparking public backlash, a petition with 93,000 signatures, and local reports of displaced wildlife such as wolves entering nearby villages.
