Google is illegaly cutting forest to build data centers

Google is illegaly cutting forest to build data centers(theguardian.com)

112 points by heyimada 3 hours ago | 18 comments

monk_grilla 49 minutes ago |

> Google said in a statement “we understand the concerns” and that it had “fallen short of our own high standards”.

But it wasn't their own high standards, it was a legal obligation that they neglected?

I hope in vain that the powers that be are able to punish them in a way they will actually feel...

jltsiren 21 minutes ago | |

This is an amusing little scandal, but it seems to be only a procedural issue. Assuming that Google has some basic competence, it selected locations where it's ultimately possible to build data centers while complying with all legal requirements.

My guess is that the government will eventually find that all requirements have been satisfied and let the projects move on. But because this is now a controversial issue, someone with the standing will very likely file a complaint. Then the projects will be stuck in administrative courts for a year or two.

titzer 28 minutes ago | |

> are able to punish them

They will not.

shadowgovt 22 minutes ago | |

The punishment will almost certainly fall on the subcontractor they contracted this work to who cut corners and should know better about local law.

ncr100 2 hours ago |

> Google said in a statement “we understand the concerns” and that it had “fallen short of our own high standards”.

Apple said the same rhetorical non-apology apologetically, recently... about something??

iamarobot 1 hour ago | |

I think it was their Siri. Apple Intelligence lags a lot behind competitors, and back during WWDC last year Craig made an announcement about how "Siri had fallen short of expectations".

ares623 47 minutes ago | | |

Executives were the world's first slop slingers even before LLMs. No wonder they got infatuated so easily.

georgemcbay 36 minutes ago | |

> Apple said the same rhetorical non-apology apologetically, recently... about something??

Entirely possible they were advised by the same crisis management firm like FGS Global or Brunswick Group.

There is a whole giant industry around pretending to be sorry effectively.

andsoitis 2 hours ago |

Google’s web page about the Muhos data center referenced in the article: https://datacenters.google/locations/muhos/

clumsysmurf 12 minutes ago |

Seems this is becoming a frequent thing, all over:

"One of America’s Last Chestnut Groves Is About to Be Destroyed for a Data Center"

https://www.gadgetreview.com/one-of-americas-last-chestnut-g...

cucumber3732842 14 minutes ago |

As someone who's seen how this sausage is made in another jurisdction I assume what's going on here is Google or the builder got some sort of statement from some board to the tune of "oh well because you checked whatever boxes we will exercise our discretionary authority to waive this for you, the exact opposite of what how we'd behave if you were some uppity peasant seeking to develop some petty land". Naturally there are some who don't like this have probably complained to the next authority up who's putting some scrutiny on the situation and whatever approval they were given has been rescinded and now they gotta do it the hard expensive way.

Or it might be one of those cases where the discretionary BS you can be put through is so onerous and capricious that the cheapest way to get it done is to bulldoze first, let the threats fly and use whatever legal maneuvering that gets you to wind up with a more favorable venue (the higher up you go the more friendly to industry permitting authorities tend to become).

thayne 1 hour ago |

> it would consider enforcement proceedings and a fine

Oh man they are going to consider a fine, that would probably be barely an inconvenience to google.

titzer 26 minutes ago | |

Fines are just there as a threat to make sure they're not behind on their (checks notes...what are they calling it these days again...oh that's right) PAC contributions.

alex1138 18 minutes ago |

There is Ecosia, apparently. I don't recall which trackers (crawlers) it uses

ljm 34 minutes ago |

Do no evil, right?

shadowgovt 20 minutes ago | |

Don't be evil.

"Do no evil" is a functionally impossible standard. Subtle difference but it matters.

tombert 2 hours ago |

When should we expect our corporate overlords to block out the sun just to fuck with us? [1]

[1] https://youtu.be/L3LbxDZRgA4

functionmouse 2 hours ago |

> Google said in a statement "Whadd'ya gonna do about it, little worm? Gonna vote for someone who will stop us? HAHAHAHA"