Google Outsourcing... to the High Seas?

Google is considering creating "data barges" anchored off shore, to save on energy costs and possibly escape some taxes and regulations. The barges would house Google's servers. They may generate power from tidal energy, saving on energy costs, and could use the ocean to cool the mainframes, which is a very energy intensive process. Google emphasizes that the idea far from being implemented.

Google may eventually be forced to consider off-shoring more seriously if the Justice department goes forward with an anti-trust case against them, for having a near-monopoly on online ads. It seems ludicrous that something that is little more than lines of code and contracts could be a monopoly in need of government intervention. (Disclosure: I use Google Ads) Indeed, Google even permits websites to use both it's ads, and the ads of competitors. In extreme cases, the government may need to move against true monopolies. However, in this case, it would simply be punishing success. There is no allegation of anti-competitive behavior, simply too large of market share. Hopefully, the Justice department will recognize this, and decide to allow Google to reap the rewards of their labor.