Thousands of Sherbrooke, Quebec residents have expressed opposition to a proposed large-scale data center, citing a lack of transparency from the municipal council. Concerns raised by residents include potential environmental impact and noise issues associated with the project. They are advocating for comprehensive 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 spearheading the petition against the project, has gathered over 4,500 signatures. He criticized the city for selectively highlighting the project’s benefits while disregarding specific concerns and failing to consider the broader implications. Roy emphasized the need for a more inclusive decision-making process that takes into account the community’s interests.
The City of Sherbrooke is moving forward with negotiations with Keel Infrastructure, a U.S. company previously known as Bitfarms. The recent approval by the city council for the conditional sale of land on Industriel Boulevard to the company has sparked unease among residents, reminiscent of past controversies involving cryptocurrency operations by the same company, which were criticized for noise pollution and energy consumption.
Roy, who works in the technology sector, also raised issues regarding digital sovereignty. He highlighted the importance of supporting Quebec or Canadian companies to drive economic growth within the region, rather than benefiting foreign entities. Roy emphasized the need for transparency and public engagement in decision-making processes related to significant developments in the area.
In response to the backlash, Sherbrooke officials clarified that the deal with Keel Infrastructure is not yet finalized. Mayor Marie-Claude Bibeau emphasized that the conditional approval only authorizes negotiations for the sale of a specific lot in an industrial zone, not immediate construction. Municipal leaders underscored the financial benefits associated with the project, pointing out that electricity sales to Hydro-Sherbrooke generate substantial revenue for the city.
The company has been given a 180-day timeline to conduct essential studies, finalize its business strategy, and meet the city’s imposed conditions before the project can proceed. Mayor Bibeau highlighted the implementation of modern cooling systems to minimize water wastage and mitigate noise levels. She assured that thorough studies on social, noise, and environmental impacts will be conducted before any final decisions are made.
Despite the city’s reassurances, some elected officials, including three councillors from Sherbrooke Citoyen, have expressed reservations about the project. Fernanda Luz, a councilor, criticized the lack of transparency and called for more information and public discussions regarding the data center proposal. Keel Infrastructure responded to residents’ concerns, emphasizing minimal water consumption and electricity usage for the project and announcing plans for a public information session to address community queries.
The company stated that the data center’s operations would not lead to increased electricity consumption, as it plans to transfer existing electrical capacity to the new site without requiring additional power generation. Keel Infrastructure also clarified that the proposed data center should be evaluated independently from its past cryptocurrency mining facilities, which have addressed noise concerns in collaboration with the city. They emphasized the need to assess the project based on available information and its unique characteristics.