The planned data centres, part of a €13 billion (approx. £11 billion) investment across multiple sites in northern Finland, have run afoul of environmental regulations. LVV said Google's subsidiary Tuike Finland Oy had failed to conduct an EIA before undertaking extensive preparatory work, including removing trees, stripping topsoil, and constructing site roads.
According to the LVV, in Muhos the company cleared 330 hectares (815 acres) of forest, and in Kajaani it logged across nearly 200 hectares (494 acres). Tommi Muilu, head of the environmental department at LVV, said the measures "will change the environment and cause impacts, the identification and assessment of which are among the key objectives of the EIA procedure." If Google does not comply, LVV said it would consider enforcement proceedings and a fine.
Google acknowledged the shortcomings, stating: "We understand the concerns" and that it had "fallen short of our own high standards." The company said it had acted "in good faith under the Forestry Act" and had conducted nature surveys and protective measures. It added that it would study the LVV's findings and advance its landscaping and biodiversity plans, including tree planting across 130 hectares (321 acres) at Muhos.
The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation described the situation as a "systemic problem." Tapani Veistola, the group's chief operating officer, said the Muhos site was "not a forest any more. It is a sand area." He attributed the violations to an "overheated market" for data centres, which drives companies to work as fast as possible and overwhelms small municipalities. Google has until next Wednesday to submit a written explanation to the LVV.