Palo, Grimes working on data center regulations
Google agreed to pay nearly $250,000 for an independent regional water balance study related to its proposed data center in Palo, Iowa. In Grimes, the city council unanimously approved data center regulations addressing noise, light pollution, water use, electricity costs, tax incentives and public input requirements.
Google plans to build a data center within Palo city limits in eastern Iowa and has agreed to fund a third-party water balance study covering Linn County and surrounding interconnected water resources. The study will examine the Cedar River, several aquifers and water conditions during average years, dry years and extended droughts. Linn County officials said the independent study will help identify available resources and information gaps, with results expected in March.
In central Iowa, the Grimes City Council unanimously approved a resolution regulating future data center development. The policy limits light and noise pollution, addresses water use and electricity costs, bars city tax incentives and requires multiple public-input sessions. Council member Jared Lovelady said the rules incorporate lessons from other communities, while resident Allen May criticized the lack of public input during the resolution's creation.