Open house offers early glimpse of Google Palo data center project
Google presented plans for a proposed $14 billion data center campus near Palo, Iowa, featuring six buildings, on-site water treatment and major power infrastructure. The project still requires annexation and zoning approval from Palo, while some residents and Linn County officials oppose the proposal or question its environmental, water, noise and regulatory impacts.
Google held an open house in Palo to present plans for a proposed 545-acre data center campus that could ultimately include six buildings and represent a $14 billion investment. The project would use Cedar River water for cooling, connect to power from the Duane Arnold Energy Center under a 25-year agreement with NextEra Energy, and include on-site water and wastewater treatment facilities. Google said it would fund required infrastructure improvements and create approximately 2,500 peak construction jobs and 180 permanent positions.
The proposal requires voluntary annexation into Palo and zoning under the city’s EU-1 data center district. Palo’s Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to review the project, followed by expected City Council consideration in December. Linn County Supervisor Kirsten Running-Marquardt accused Google of shifting jurisdictions to avoid the county’s stricter data center ordinance, while Google executive Ben Townsend said Palo was chosen because it offered a more suitable planning partnership. Some Palo residents, including Erin Jacobson, remain opposed and continue to question Google’s assurances regarding water use, noise, environmental effects and future project changes.