Michigan City residents Raise Concerns Over Proposed Google Data center and Air quality Permit
A proposed $800 million data center in Michigan City, Indiana, is facing growing opposition from residents concerned about potential environmental and labor impacts. Activists are urging community members to voice their concerns regarding an air permit draft for the project, known as “Project Maize,” before a public meeting on December 9th and a comment deadline of December 15th.
Ashley Williams, executive director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, is leading the charge, emphasizing the urgency of community involvement.”No matter what, we will get the word out, and we’ll ensure that folks know that this is happening,” Williams stated. “We have a very short timeline to bring people out. It’s already such a daunting time to engage people, but we are going to do the best that we can.”
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) will hold a public meeting at Michigan City High School to discuss a new source construction draft air permit for Project Maize, slated for 402 Royal Road. The meeting is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., continuing until all public comments have been addressed. residents suspect that Lavender Fields Holdings LLC, the listed applicant for the permit, is a shell corporation for Google.
According to the Environmental Law and Policy Center, the proposed facility requires a permit from IDEM before construction and operation can commence. At the meeting,IDEM staff will explain the permit details and answer questions from the public,focusing on air pollution concerns. there will be no formal presentation, allowing for open discussion and statement-making.
Williams has formally requested that IDEM extend the public comment period by 60 days, reschedule the December 9th meeting, and host additional public meetings during the extended comment period. though, an IDEM official confirmed in a recent communication that the December 9th meeting will proceed as planned, and the December 15th comment deadline will remain in effect.
“IDEM is obligated to complete its work to process applications within regulatory timeframes and issue permits, provided the applicant demonstrates that construction and operation of the proposed facility will meet all applicable state and federal regulations,” explained Natalie Rodriguez, IDEM’s external relations director.
Williams expressed frustration with the lack of responsiveness from IDEM, noting that many staff members are likely unavailable during the holiday season. The construction of the data center, including multiple tax abatements and designating the area for economic revitalization. The project has already secured $42 million in tax incentives through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. However, Local 150 has voiced opposition to the project, citing the hiring of workers from out of state – Wisconsin, Ohio, and Alabama – instead of local union labor. Local politicians have echoed these concerns.
City officials maintain that Project Maize is a private undertaking and the city has limited control over hiring decisions. Kelley Smith, an administrator for the Michigan City Mayor’s Office, clarified that while Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch supports the local workforce, the city cannot dictate hiring practices to private developers.
Concerns extend beyond environmental impacts to include labor practices and past issues with the developer.Just Transition NWI launched an accountability campaign after IDEM cited Phoenix Investors for a violation on October 9th, discovering the presence of trichloroethylene (TCE) – a chemical linked to cancer and other serious health problems – at the construction site.
“Good-faith development helps communities work together,” Williams previously stated. “Bad-faith development has neighbors looking over their shoulders. … Phoenix has demonstrated that it is indeed not a good neighbor and must continue to be held accountable for its actions and those of the project’s suspected end user, Google.”
Williams concluded, “IDEM is blatantly choosing Big Tech over the people that they have repeatedly failed to serve. They are scrooging our communities during this holiday season. Shame on IDEM. Shame on Google, Lavender Fields Holdings LLC, and phoenix investors, who intend to install 70 polluting diesel generators in our community with no pollution controls. A one-day extension is egregious, and Michigan City won’t stand for this.”
