Activist speaks out against IDEM approving dozens more diesel generators at Google data center

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has approved Google's request to add 145 diesel generators to its data center campus in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This approval comes after 34 generators were already permitted in 2024, bringing the total to over 170 backup generators for the facility. Local activist Danielle Doepke, who participated in the public comment process and spoke at a public meeting opposing the generators, expressed her "fury" over IDEM's decision. Doepke criticized Google, which she noted is valued at $3.8 trillion, for not installing more efficient and cleaner generators that could reduce emissions by up to 90%. Google has not commented on the permit approval, stating that the generators are intended solely for emergency backup power. Doepke, however, plans to continue her fight against the data center's construction, even as part of the facility is already operational.