Finnish police investigate Google site work in Muhos

Finnish police have opened a criminal investigation into suspected environmental-law breaches involving preparatory work at Google’s planned data-center site in Muhos, focusing on drainage and water management. The investigation concerns work by Tuike Finland, the Finnish company representing Google, and does not establish that laws were broken or environmental damage occurred. The Oulu Police Department said preliminary information indicated ambiguities and shortcomings in drainage and water management at the site in northern Finland. Investigators are examining whether the work breached environmental legislation and caused damage to surrounding waterways. Police have described the case as environmental degradation; additional criminal classifications could be specified later. The Finnish Supervisory Agency ordered preparatory measures that altered the environment to stop at Muhos and a second planned site while required environmental impact assessments remained incomplete. The agency issued the order on October 6, according to police, and Google said it complied with the halt order on October 14. Google has acknowledged clearing about 330 hectares of forest at Muhos. Reports...