Palo City Council advances data center ordinance despite fierce opposition
The Palo City Council voted 4-1 to advance a data center ordinance through its second reading despite fierce opposition from residents. Concerns include water use, pollution, and traffic, as Google seeks to annex land near a nuclear plant for the proposed project.
The Palo City Council in Iowa voted 4-1 to advance a data center ordinance through its second reading, despite considerable public opposition. Residents voiced strong concerns about the proposed project's potential impacts on water usage, environmental pollution, and local traffic.
The project is planned for land near the Duane Arnold nuclear plant, which tech giant Google is reportedly seeking to annex into the city. During public comment, one resident expressed disappointment that the council's alleged five weeks of research appeared to focus on advocating for data centers rather than improving the ordinance or addressing community feedback.