CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Palo Planning and Zoning Commission moved forward this week with an ordinance for a future Google data center near the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant, but some residents say the proposal does not go far enough to protect water resources.
The proposed ordinance differs from one proposed by Linn County supervisors earlier this year that would have required a water study to determine how much water is being used. Google pulled out of the deal with Linn County in early March and started working solely with the city of Palo.
Palo’s proposal defers water regulation for all future data centers to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Environmental concerns
Wally Taylor, legal counsel for the Sierra Club, said the potential impact on water quality is unclear…