Google addresses power and noise questions at Palo data center open house
Google held a community open house in Palo to discuss its proposed data center, addressing concerns about electricity costs, noise and public input. The company said the facility would use power supported by the restart of the nearby Duane Arnold nuclear plant and would not increase local electric bills.
Google representatives met with Palo residents to answer questions about the company’s proposed data center. Electricity costs were a central concern, and Google said the project would not raise residents’ electric bills. The company also said it is helping enable the restart of the nearby Duane Arnold nuclear plant, which would provide the facility’s anchor power supply.
Noise and community input were also discussed. A consultant said Palo’s restrictive noise ordinance would provide safeguards for nearby residents, while Google community manager Allison Eastman said some aspects of the project could still be adjusted as construction, development and operations proceed. Google estimates the project could create more than 1,000 construction jobs, hundreds of permanent positions and millions of dollars in local tax revenue; the proposal remains in the approval process.