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Google’s ‘barge’ project runs aground amid agency scrutiny

Google-Floating-barge-Maine

 

Google’s Barge projects have apparently been put on hold according a new CNET report this morning. The report indicates that Google is definitely planning on completing the project, but at this point it looks to be well into 2014 before it sees the light of day.

“A variety of senior BCDC staff members have met with Google’s representatives to learn about its plans,” said Brad McCrea, director of regulatory affairs for the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. “We have learned that the barge is still under construction, albeit in a hiatus, and likely will not be completed until late spring 2014. In addition, Google is still exploring options for how to use the barge when it is completed.”

McCrea added that the hiatus has been caused by some changes requested by the US Coast Guard: “It’s our understanding that the design changes are to the interior of the vessel, as requested by the Coast Guard.”

Google is also facing scrutiny from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission under the guise that Google has yet to officially request permission to dock the barge in the San Francisco bay. The state lay requirement has the BCDC considering whether Google will need to obtain permits to continue construction altogether. Given the two-pronged agency scrutiny, it appears the Barge project has “run aground.”

What, where and when the Barge will be used for is still under wraps albeit the source of many, many guesses by journalists and tech-industry watchers alike.

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