A proposed Google data center near Palo, Iowa is raising serious questions—not just about this project, but about how communities across the country are being asked to make decisions without full information or consistent protections.

Right now, Google is exploring building this facility on land annexed into the City of Palo rather than in unincorporated Linn County. This matters. Linn County recently spent months developing a data center ordinance with safeguards around water use and transparency. Palo, by contrast, does not yet have those same rules in place.

Residents are asking a fair question: why move the project into a jurisdiction with fewer established protections?

Local officials have said this is not about bypassing regulations. But community members remain concerned that shifting jurisdictions could lead to weaker oversight, fewer safeguards, and decisions made before the public fully understands the long-term impact.

And those impacts could be significant.

Data centers are large, industrial-scale developments that can operate for decades. Residents have already raised concerns about:

• Water usage and long-term strain on local systems
• Energy demand and pressure on infrastructure
• Noise, light, and traffic affecting quality of life
• Unclear economic benefits compared to the scale of the project
• Lack of detailed information needed to make informed decisions

At a recent town hall, many of these questions went unanswered. Even city officials acknowledged that it is still early in the process and key details are not yet available.

This petition calls on the Palo City Council to:

Delay any annexation, rezoning, or approval of this data center project until:

• A clear, enforceable data center ordinance is fully developed
• Independent studies on water, energy, and environmental impacts are completed
• Full project details are publicly disclosed
• Residents are given a meaningful role in the decision-making process

This is not about opposing technology or economic growth. It’s about ensuring that growth happens responsibly, transparently, and with strong protections in place.

What’s happening in Palo is not unique. Across the country, communities are facing similar proposals—and similar concerns about projects moving to where regulations are weakest. That’s why this moment matters beyond one town.

Palo has a chance to set the standard: no major development without clear rules, full transparency, and community consent.

Sign now to stand with Palo residents—and communities nationwide—demanding accountability before approval.