Thousands of Sherbrooke, Quebec residents have expressed opposition to a mega data center project driven by the municipal council with limited transparency. Concerns raised by residents include the environmental impact and noise implications of the proposed project. They are advocating for environmental assessments, public discussions, and are questioning the decision to allow a U.S.-backed company to construct a large data center locally.
Jayson Roy, a resident spearheading the petition, has gathered over 4,500 signatures. He criticized the city for focusing solely on the perceived benefits of the project while disregarding specific worries and neglecting the broader context. Roy emphasized that the issues at hand extend beyond individual concerns.
The City of Sherbrooke is moving forward with Keel Infrastructure, a U.S.-based entity formerly known as Bitfarms. The recent approval by the city council for the conditional land sale on Industriel Boulevard to the company has sparked backlash among many residents. Previous operations by the same company in cryptocurrency faced backlash over noise and energy consumption, leading residents to view the current conditional sale with skepticism.
Roy, who has a background in the tech sector, highlighted concerns regarding digital sovereignty. He emphasized the preference for a Quebec or Canadian company leading the project to retain revenue locally rather than benefitting a foreign entity. Roy stressed the lack of transparency in the decision-making process and the absence of resident engagement in crucial discussions.
In response to the criticism, Sherbrooke officials clarified that the deal with Keel Infrastructure is not finalized. Mayor Marie-Claude Bibeau pointed out that the conditional approval only authorizes negotiations for the sale of a specific lot and does not grant permission for construction. The financial impact is a key factor, with electricity sales generating significant revenue for the city.
Bibeau outlined that Keel Infrastructure has 180 days to complete essential studies, finalize business plans, and meet city-imposed conditions. She assured that measures such as closed-circuit cooling systems and industrial location selection aim to minimize environmental and noise issues. The mayor emphasized the necessity for comprehensive impact studies before any final approval.
Despite the ongoing consultations and planning, not all elected officials support the project. Some councillors criticized the lack of transparency and the need for more public engagement in the decision-making process. Keel Infrastructure acknowledged the concerns raised by residents and assured that the data center project will have minimal water usage and no additional electricity consumption.
Keel Infrastructure intends to conduct a public information session in the upcoming months to address community questions and dispel comparisons with its prior cryptocurrency operations. The company stressed its commitment to addressing past concerns and emphasized the need to evaluate the proposed data center based on current information and merits.