Calgary, Texas companies propose data centre for Saint John industrial park
CBC
The City of Saint John has its first prospective business for the expanded area of the Spruce Lake Industrial Park, but some area residents are already concerned about the environmental impact of the project.
Calgary-based Beacon AI Centers and Texas-based VoltaGrid are proposing to build a data centre on a 120-hectare parcel of land in the industrial park.
Data centres host large computer systems that do things such as store massive amounts of data for businesses and governments, and operate websites and apps such as video streaming services and AI search engines.
Greg Norton, a councillor for the area, says it’s a welcome proposal so soon after the land was rezoned in July after weeks of heated debate and public meetings.
He said the companies could put upwards of $2 billion into the new facility, bringing needed tax revenue, jobs and other growth opportunities.
“Saint John is that economic driver, and industrial parks are a big piece of that,” Norton said. “I think if this is done right, it's going to open up not windows, but doors to more investment that will see us reach our full potential.”
The companies plan to introduce the idea to area residents in an open house on November 5 at the Lorneville Community Centre and are already trying to assure people in the rural, residential area that they will try to mitigate potential impacts.
“The Project would include enclosed buildings to limit noise, and control systems would be in place, including heating, cooling, noise, and fire suppression,” Beacon and VoltaGrid said in the notice sent to residents.
Beacon hasn't replied to a request for an interview. Nathan Ough, the VoltaGrid CEO who was born and raised in the Saint John area, said in an email that he would do an interview, but only after the public session on Nov. 5.
Ian MacKinnon, the general manager of Saint John Industrial Parks, also declined an interview until after the public session.
The city had previously said a letter of intent had been submitted to build a data centre but could not disclose the name at the time.
Adam Wilkins, an area resident and one of the leaders of the “Save Lorneville” community group, says the city is not living up to its pledge to attract light and medium industry that’s clean and non-emitting.
“A data centre is not green, it's not good for the environment,” Wilkins said in an interview. “It involves the destruction of large parcels of land and in this case mature forest, old growth forest, wetlands, [peat bog]. They use inordinate amounts of water for cooling and energy to run.”
Wilkins opposed all development on this piece of land. He and some other community members have filed for a judicial review of the city’s decision to rezone the land in July. They will have an initial case management conference with the city and a judge this month.
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