Google Seeks Emergency Generators for Expanded Fort Wayne Data Center

Google's plans to expand its Fort Wayne data center campus have taken another step forward. The company has requested permission from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to add more than 220 emergency generators to the site, which would bring the total number of generators to over 390. This is the third air permit modification application that Hatchworks LLC, Google's developer, has submitted.

The data center campus, located on an 892-acre site, is currently in its third phase of development and began operating in December. Google's previous permit approvals have allowed for more than 170 diesel-powered emergency generators to be installed, with the new modification seeking permission for a further 228 generators.

Google has invested heavily in the project, committing $2 billion to its long-term plans for the site, which include 12 buildings. The company has also received permits from IDEM to fill wetlands on the site, including approval to fill over two acres of wetlands earlier this month.

The expansion of the data center campus has been a contentious issue in Fort Wayne, with some residents expressing concerns about noise, pollution, and the impact on local wildlife. In response, the Fort Wayne City Council will consider legislation that would impose a one-year temporary moratorium on new data centers, as well as establish a task force to guide future developments of this size.