The Municipality of Cumberland is set to impose a temporary halt on the establishment of data centers supporting artificial intelligence. The council unanimously passed the first reading of a bylaw that could initiate a six-month moratorium on development permit applications for such data centers.
During the council meeting, Coun. Jennifer Houghtaling highlighted concerns from residents regarding the potential impact of data centers on water and electricity consumption, both on their lives and the environment. Houghtaling emphasized the need for an informed decision, stating that the moratorium should remain in effect until a well-considered choice is made.
Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy expressed proactive measures by the council, emphasizing the importance of making informed decisions rather than remaining passive. The council aims to draft regulations while being the first in Nova Scotia to move in this direction.
The issue was brought to light in June following concerns raised by residents over a land purchase in Malagash. The company owning the land, 3Sha Infotech Inc. based in Mississauga, Ont., holds 44 hectares of farmland in Upper Malagash. Despite attempts to reach out to the company for information on its plans, there has been no success.
Cumberland’s CAO Greg Herrett stated that the moratorium is a pre-emptive step based on community concerns, as there have been no inquiries or applications received at this stage. He mentioned that staff cannot accept any applications for data centers post the first reading. A public hearing is scheduled for September, followed by the second reading of the bylaw.
Local resident Kate Dunn supported the decision to pause AI data center developments, citing concerns such as noise disturbance conflicting with rural life in Cumberland County. She stressed the need to assess the value and implications of AI expansion, suggesting a more thoughtful approach.
Dunn expressed concerns about the government potentially overriding municipal regulations, likening it to past instances involving wind turbine setbacks. The Department of Municipal Affairs stated that there are no immediate plans for a planning framework for data center applications, emphasizing the need to safeguard the grid and the province.
As the proliferation of AI data centers grows across North America, opposition toward them has also increased. Recent protests and legal battles have erupted in Canada over data centers, while Alberta has embraced projects by companies like Meta. Public opinion, as seen in an Angus Reid poll, leans towards heavy government regulation of AI data centers, with concerns over their impact on job creation.
The decision by the Municipality of Cumberland to enact a moratorium on AI data centers aligns with a broader trend of public scrutiny and regulatory scrutiny over the rapid expansion of such facilities.
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