Google Advances Commitment to The Dalles, Launching Sustainable Water Storage System – oregonbusiness.com

Report on Collaborative Infrastructure Investment in The Dalles, Oregon

Executive Summary

A public-private partnership between Google and the City of The Dalles has culminated in the completion of a significant water infrastructure project, the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) System. This initiative, part of a $28 million investment by Google, is designed to enhance regional water security and support sustainable community growth. The project aligns with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of clean water, sustainable infrastructure, clean energy, and collaborative partnerships.

Water Security and Sustainable Communities (SDG 6 & SDG 11)

The core of the initiative is the new ASR system, which directly addresses SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by improving water resource management and bolstering community resilience.

• System Functionality: The ASR system captures surplus water during high-precipitation seasons and stores it in a natural underground aquifer.
• Drought Mitigation: This stored water is recovered during drier months to meet peak demand, safeguarding the community against water scarcity and drought, a key target of SDG 11.
• Increased Capacity: The project provides the community with an additional 100 million gallons of water annually.
• Public Ownership: Google has transferred full ownership, operation, and associated water rights to the City of The Dalles, ensuring the infrastructure serves as a long-term public asset.

Sustainable Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9 & SDG 12)

Google’s investment reflects a commitment to sustainable industrial practices and responsible resource management, contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

1. Brownfield Redevelopment: Google’s data center in The Dalles is located on the redeveloped site of a former aluminum smelter, previously designated as an EPA Superfund site, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable land use under SDG 9.
2. Water Replenishment Goal: The project is part of Google’s corporate goal to replenish more water than it consumes, aligning with the principles of sustainable natural resource management in SDG 12.
3. Watershed Support: Further contributions support local water conservation efforts, including:
   • The East Fork Irrigation District’s conversion of an open canal to a piped system.
   • The Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District’s work to increase water flows in Fifteen Mile Creek, benefiting both agriculture and native fish populations (contributing to SDG 15: Life on Land).

Clean Energy and Economic Growth (SDG 7 & SDG 8)

The partnership extends beyond water to include advancements in clean energy and local workforce development, supporting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• Renewable Energy Procurement: An agreement with Avangrid will supply Google’s data centers with over 100 megawatts of clean energy from the upgraded Leaning Juniper IIB facility, increasing the share of renewable energy in line with SDG 7.
• Workforce Development: A $100,000 contribution to the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) supports on-the-job training for over 1,500 electrical apprentices in Oregon, fostering a skilled workforce for the green economy as targeted by SDG 8.

Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

This entire initiative serves as a model for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), showcasing the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in achieving sustainable development objectives. The collaboration between a global technology company and a local municipality has resulted in critical infrastructure that provides long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits for the region.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • The article’s primary focus is on the “Aquifer Storage and Recovery System,” a water infrastructure project designed to increase the region’s water capacity. This directly relates to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • The article mentions Google’s agreement with Avangrid for “more than 100 megawatts of clean energy” to power its data centers, which directly addresses the goal of increasing the share of renewable energy.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The investment in infrastructure is noted to support “new housing, new businesses,” and the digital economy. Furthermore, Google’s contribution to the “electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) to support on-the-job training for more than 1,500 electrical apprentices” promotes employment and vocational training.

4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The article describes the development of resilient and innovative infrastructure, such as the new water system and the data center itself. The project is described as an “innovative infrastructure solution” that strengthens local resources.

5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The project aims to make The Dalles more resilient and sustainable by providing the necessary infrastructure for future growth and safeguarding it against drought. The Mayor is quoted saying the project ensures “The Dalles has the infrastructure we need today while preparing for tomorrow.”

6. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • The article notes that the data center was built on “redeveloped land that was previously home to an aluminum smelter once designated as an EPA Superfund site,” which relates to restoring degraded land. Additionally, contributions to increase flows in Fifteen Mile Creek help “native fish,” which supports the protection of freshwater ecosystems.

7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The entire initiative is a public-private partnership between Google and the City of The Dalles. The article highlights how “forward-thinking partnerships” can achieve sustainable development goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):

   • Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. The Aquifer Storage and Recovery System, which captures surplus water for use in dry months, directly addresses water scarcity and ensures a sustainable supply.
   • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels. The collaboration between Google and the City of The Dalles to manage the local water supply is an example of integrated water resource management at the local level.
   • Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems. The support for the Wasco County Soil and Water Conservation District to “increase flows in Fifteen Mile Creek, helping both farmers and native fish” is a direct action toward restoring a freshwater ecosystem.

2. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The agreement for “more than 100 megawatts of clean energy” to power Google’s data centers directly contributes to this target.

3. Under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The investment in a high-tech data center that powers AI-driven services represents technological upgrading and supports the growth of the digital economy.
   • Target 8.6: By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. The $100,000 contribution to the electrical training ALLIANCE for “on-the-job training for more than 1,500 electrical apprentices” directly supports this goal by promoting vocational training.

4. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The new water system is explicitly designed to be a resilient infrastructure solution that increases water capacity and safeguards against drought.
   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean technologies. Powering data centers with clean energy is a clear example of upgrading infrastructure with clean technology.

5. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of people affected by disasters, including water-related disasters. The project is explicitly stated to “safeguard The Dalles against drought,” a water-related disaster.

6. Under SDG 15 (Life on Land):

   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil. The redevelopment of a former “EPA Superfund site” for the data center is a direct contribution to restoring degraded land.

7. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The project is presented as a model partnership between a private company (Google) and a public entity (City of The Dalles).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 6:

   • Indicator: Change in water-use efficiency / Level of water stress. The article provides a direct quantitative measure of progress: the project will provide the community with “access to 100 million more gallons of water each year.” This directly measures the increased supply of freshwater available to combat scarcity.

2. For SDG 7:

   • Indicator: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. The article specifies the amount of new clean energy capacity being added: “more than 100 megawatts of clean energy.” This is a direct measure of progress toward increasing the share of renewable energy.

3. For SDG 8:

   • Indicator: Proportion of youth not in employment, education or training. Progress can be measured by the number of individuals receiving training: “more than 1,500 electrical apprentices” will receive on-the-job training thanks to the $100,000 contribution.

4. For SDG 9 & 17:

   • Indicator: Total investment in infrastructure / Dollar value of public-private partnerships. The article quantifies the financial investment, which serves as an indicator of progress. Specific figures mentioned are Google’s “$28 million investment” in the water system and its total investment of “more than $2.4 billion in Oregon.”

5. For SDG 15:

   • Indicator: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area. While not providing a specific area in hectares, the article’s mention of redeveloping an “EPA Superfund site” implies a direct, measurable reduction in the amount of degraded land within the community.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: oregonbusiness.com