04/13/2026, 13:01
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***
OFFICIAL STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO IDEM’S APPROVAL OF GOOGLE’S AIR PERMITS
On behalf of all who have been fighting against this decision for many months, we are disgusted and furious that IDEM has come to this conclusion — government institutions are meant to protect the people, not the interests of corporations.
The fate of innocent people and families, human beings who simply have the misfortune of building their lives next to what was once agricultural land, are at risk. The workers currently onsite during this multi-year construction project, as well as any future in-person employees will also be deeply affected by this decision. While our children, the elderly, the disabled; the immunocompromised; people with asthma, respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, and COPD are most at risk for adverse health impacts, make no mistake – this is violence against all forms of life.
Premature death is a proven consequence of exposure to diesel exhaust air pollution – this has been well documented by international and national scientific research institutions. Despite this, Google has made the conscious decision to ignore the human health impact and utilize diesel-fueled generators as an energy source.
Google continues to claim that their generators will be emergency use only and because of this, none of diesel-fueled generators on site – current or approved in this decision – require any pollution or emissions controls. Absolutely none. Google voluntarily agreed to not exceed a limit of 250 tons/year of NOx (nitrogen oxides) pollution, however, basic calculations show that the generators easily exceed those limits well within the 100 hours of time they have been allowed to operate by the EPA.
In the people’s appeals to IDEM, we demanded that Google be held to the highest standards and utilize the best available technologies. Research has shown that Tier 4F generators reduce harmful exhaust and soot emissions by 90% — this technology exists and would significantly reduce the potential harm. However, IDEM has chosen not to hold Google to the highest possible standards and so far Google, one of the top global megacorporations whose value currently sits at $3.8 trillion dollars, refuses to install the best available technology and retrofit their equipment with pollution controls. Instead, the diesel exhaust smoke and soot is free to permeate our air and coat our lungs. The people of Allen County should be outraged.
IDEM has failed to prevent Google from destroying and permanently altering our wetlands and waterways; now they are allowing Google to pollute our air. Our federal and state leaders and lawmakers have failed to install legislative protections against this kind of deceptive corporate exploitation. Mayor Sharon Tucker, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., the Fort Wayne Economic Development Commission, the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission, County Commissioners, City Council, and other local bodies and individuals have failed to protect the residents of Allen County through their refusal to demand better from Google.
Do not let them forget what they have done to us and what they have stolen from us. It is critical to continue using your power to vote and protest – we must put the right people in positions of power. Support candidates that champion people over profits, will demand legislative oversight, and will work to end the reign of corporations and special interest groups. We all deserve representatives who will fight for us, and we cannot stop fighting for a better future.
Sign the petition and share your thoughts with Mayor Sharon Tucker: www.openpetition.org/protectallencounty
Signed,
Concerned Residents with Protect Allen County, Liveable Fort Wayne, and Fort Wayne Data Center Action
Find us & resources at: www.fwdatacenteraction.wordpress.com
