Google Proposes Six-Building Data Center in Palo, Iowa
Google plans to build a six-building data center in Palo, Iowa, powered by a restarted nuclear plant and funded by the company's own infrastructure investments.
Google presented plans for a new six-building data center in Palo, Iowa, during a community meeting on Thursday. The company intends to break ground early next year, with the facility becoming operational within two years and reaching full completion by 2031. The project is expected to create over 1,000 construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions.
To address environmental and utility concerns, Google representatives stated the facility will rely on power from the restarted Duane Arnold nuclear plant and will not increase local electric bills. The center is projected to use 10 to 14 million gallons of water daily, which the company asserts the local basin can support. Google committed to paying real property taxes and covering 100% of the costs for upgrading domestic water and wastewater infrastructure.
Representatives also addressed local quality-of-life issues, noting that Palo's noise ordinance will prevent intrusive sound and that the company will partner with authorities to manage traffic. While the project was previously discussed with Linn County officials, the focus shifted to Palo, a move county officials attributed to stricter environmental rules and requests for more funding. The project now awaits approval from the Palo City Council.
