Overview
- Finland’s Permit and Supervision Agency (LVV) has opened an inquiry and asked Tuike Finland Oy, Google’s local project company, to explain the forest clearing in early October 2026.
- About 300 hectares were cleared at the Muhos (Leppiniemi) site after work began in March 2026, and reports say felling continued into the summer after regulators determined an assessment was needed.
- Finnish law requires an environmental impact assessment for permanent clear‑cuts over 200 hectares, and Tuike sought an exemption in late April 2026 before the project entered a formal EIA process in May 2026.
- The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation filed a complaint in September 2026 that cites satellite imagery and asks LVV to halt work, while Google and Tuike say surveys ensured no high‑value areas were damaged and that they complied with law.
- The dispute could lead to construction delays or fines if authorities find the clearing breached rules and the case may set a precedent for how large data‑center builds must sequence land clearance and environmental review, including for Google’s €13 billion Finnish investment.