In Sherbrooke, Quebec, a significant number of residents have voiced their opposition to a proposed large-scale data center project, citing concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the municipal council’s efforts to push the initiative forward. The residents are worried about the potential environmental impact and noise pollution that the project may bring. 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, has gathered over 4,500 signatures to challenge the city’s selective promotion of the project’s benefits while disregarding specific apprehensions and overlooking the broader implications. Roy emphasized that the issue extends beyond individual issues, stating, “It’s so much more than that.” The municipal authorities in Sherbrooke are moving forward with a partnership with Keel Infrastructure, previously known as Bitfarms, despite the community’s past discontent with the company’s cryptocurrency operations, which were criticized for their noise levels and energy consumption.
Roy, drawing from his tech industry background, highlighted concerns about digital sovereignty and expressed a preference for a Quebec or Canadian company leading the project to retain revenue locally. Mayor Marie-Claude Bibeau clarified that the deal with Keel Infrastructure is not yet finalized, indicating that the recent land sale approval is merely a step to initiate negotiations rather than a green light for construction. Bibeau underscored the financial benefits for the city, with the electricity sales from Hydro-Sherbrooke generating substantial revenue annually.
The city officials have outlined a 180-day period for Keel Infrastructure to complete essential studies, finalize their business plan, and meet the city’s specified conditions. Bibeau assured that the data center plans include measures to reduce water waste and noise pollution, highlighting the use of modern cooling systems and strategic industrial location to address these concerns. Despite the pushback, the city is set to engage in consultations with Hydro-Québec and Hydro-Sherbrooke before finalizing the project.
Keel Infrastructure acknowledged the community’s apprehensions and announced plans for a public information session to address resident inquiries. The company assured that the data center would have minimal impact on water consumption and electricity usage, with existing capacity being transferred to the new site. Keel emphasized that the proposed data center should be evaluated independently from past operations, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and compliance with regulatory standards as more details emerge.