Paddock Demands Strict Environmental Review for Google's Fort Wayne Data Center Expansion

Fort Wayne City Council President Geoff Paddock has requested that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) apply the 'strictest possible environmental and permit review standards' to Google's latest request to fill wetlands for its data center expansion. The request is part of a third phase expansion, which involves filling 2.13 acres of forested, isolated wetlands to construct three new buildings.

Paddock shared a letter with IDEM on Friday, expressing concerns from constituents who plan to attend the public hearing on August 25. He noted that he will not be able to attend the hearing himself but wants IDEM to work closely with the City of Fort Wayne to ensure that Google's permit application meets strict environmental standards.

The request has been met with opposition, particularly regarding environmental concerns. Last year, IDEM approved a similar request by developers to fill over two acres of wetlands in an earlier expansion phase. Paddock pointed out that Google did not mention its intention to take over wetlands during the rezoning approval process for the data center in 2023.