Thousands of residents in Sherbrooke, Quebec, have expressed opposition to a planned large-scale data center, citing concerns about lack of transparency from the municipal council. The residents are worried about the potential environmental impact and noise levels associated with the project. They are advocating for thorough environmental assessments, open public discussions, and are questioning the decision to allow a U.S.-based company to construct a massive data center in their community.
Jayson Roy, a resident actively involved in the petition, highlighted that the city is selectively promoting the perceived benefits of the project while disregarding specific worries and failing to consider the broader implications. He emphasized the need for a more comprehensive evaluation beyond individual issues.
The municipal authorities of Sherbrooke are moving forward with an agreement with Keel Infrastructure, a company with American origins previously known as Bitfarms. This decision has sparked memories of past cryptocurrency ventures by the same company that faced criticism for noise disturbances and high energy consumption, leaving many residents feeling apprehensive.
Roy, who has a background in the tech industry, expressed concerns about the project’s impact on digital sovereignty, suggesting that having a Quebec or Canadian entity spearheading the initiative would be preferable over contributing revenue to a foreign corporation.
In response to the backlash, Mayor Marie-Claude Bibeau clarified that the deal with Keel Infrastructure is not finalized but rather a preliminary step to negotiate the sale of specific industrial land. The Mayor emphasized the financial benefits for the city, stressing that the project could generate significant revenue through electricity sales.
The company has been given a 180-day window to conduct essential studies, finalize their business strategy, and meet the city’s stipulated conditions. Mayor Bibeau assured that measures such as advanced cooling systems and strategic location would mitigate potential negative impacts on the environment and noise levels.
Although some councillors have opposed the project due to transparency concerns, Keel Infrastructure has acknowledged the residents’ questions and intends to address them through a forthcoming public information session. The company clarified that the data center’s operations would not substantially increase electricity consumption and that it plans to transfer existing electrical capacity to the new site rather than requesting additional power generation.
As discussions and evaluations continue, the company emphasized the need to assess the proposed data center independently based on the available information and recent operational improvements.
