Google Faces Investigation Over Forest Clearing in Finland

Google is investing 13 billion euros ($15 billion) over the next two years to build data centers in Kajaani, Muhos, and Vaala, Finland. This expansion, the company's largest single investment in Europe, adds to an existing facility in Hamina. While the government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo supports the project to combat sluggish growth and record-high unemployment, the initiative has drawn significant criticism.

The Finnish Permit and Supervision Agency (LVV) is currently investigating whether Tuike Finland, the entity representing Google, illegally cleared over 300 hectares of forest in Muhos before completing a mandatory environmental impact assessment. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation has called for a total halt to construction, citing satellite imagery that suggests protected nature sites were logged. Google maintains that the forest clearing complied fully with Finnish laws and regulations and followed a survey to avoid high-value environmental areas.

The project faces further pressure from a citizens' initiative with over 50,000 signatures demanding stricter regulations on energy use and environmental impacts. Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Google to rethink the investment plans via Truth Social.