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When big data comes to a small town: The project riling up citizens in Olds, Alta.
Residents and nearly 1,200 interveners say the campus is too close to homes and relies on 1.4 gigawatts of gas-fired power.
- Synapse is planning a 10-building data center campus in Olds, Alta., featuring 1.4 gigawatts of gas-fired power generation, sparking intense opposition with nearly 1,200 individuals registered as interveners in Alberta Utilities Commission hearings.
- Earlier this year, the municipality rezoned the land from "future urban district" to "light industrial," though residents contend there is nothing "light" about 1.4 gigawatts of power generation bordering Highway 27.
- Opponent Bek MacIntosh leads the campaign, calling it "all-consuming," while Innovation Minister Nate Glubish told residents at an April town hall he was "very persuaded" by their concerns about proximity to homes.
- The Alberta Utilities Commission rejected the initial proposal in March, citing "significant deficiencies," though Synapse estimates the project will employ 1,000 people full-time.
- Tech entrepreneur Van Gaal, with more than 15 years operating data centers, describes them as "quiet, clean neighbours," while Alberta aims to attract $100 billion in data center investments within five years.
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When big data comes to a small town: The project riling up citizens in Olds
Synapse Real Estate Corp. wants to build a massive data centre complex. The town government sees an opportunity to boost its tax revenue and local employment, while many residents worry about pollution, noise, home values, safety and strain on local health care and emergency services.
·Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources8
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 33%
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