Data Centres Deserve Scrutiny — But Also Facts

Editor, The Bulletin;The concerns raised by Maria Andres regarding data centres deserve thoughtful discussion. Major industrial projects should always be examined carefully. However, many of ... Read more

Editor, The Bulletin; The concerns raised by Maria Andres regarding data centres deserve thoughtful discussion. Major industrial projects should always be examined carefully. However, many of the claims in her letter are based on examples from jurisdictions with very different regulatory, climatic, and operating conditions than those being considered in Alberta and the Brooks Newell Region.

First, not all data centres are the same. The water consumption figures cited are often drawn from older facilities or large hyperscale centres in hot, humid climates. Modern data centres increasingly use closed-loop cooling systems, dry-air cooling, or hybrid cooling technologies that dramatically reduce water consumption.

In a closed-loop system, water is recirculated rather than continuously consumed, requiring minimal make-up water under normal operation. Many new facilities are specifically being designed to reduce dependence on freshwater supplies. Alberta’s climate is also a significant advantage.

Cooler temperatures reduce the amount of cooling required compared with facilities in Arizona, Texas, or other warmer regions that are frequently cited in media reports. Alberta’s colder temperatures allow operators to use outside air for cooling during much of the year, substantially lowering both water and energy requirements. The claim that data centres automatically increase electricity rates for residents requires much more context.

In the United States, concerns about rising electricity costs have largely emerged in regions where data centres are rapidly connecting to regulated grids and requiring substantial transmission upgrades. Alberta operates under a unique deregulated electricity market, and the province has specifically introduced policies requiring large data centre projects to bring their own generation or fund the infrastructure needed to support their operations. Recent provincial regulations are designed to ensure that large-load facilities do not undermine grid reliability or offload costs onto residential ratepayers.

In fact, Alberta’s government and the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) have openly recognized the challenges posed by large data centres and are developing a framework that prioritizes projects able to secure dedicated power supplies. This is fundamentally different from some U.S. jurisdictions where utilities were required to absorb infrastructure costs and then recover them through broader rate increases. The discussion around emissions also deserves balance.

While backup diesel generators are common in data centres worldwide, they are typically used only during emergencies or brief testing periods. They are not intended to operate continuously. Modern facilities are increasingly incorporating natural gas generation, renewable energy contracts, battery storage systems, and advanced emissions controls to reduce environmental impacts.

Concerns about noise and light pollution are legitimate, but they are also matters routinely addressed through municipal development approvals. Modern industrial facilities employ noise attenuation walls, building design standards, setback requirements, shielded lighting, and landscaping buffers. Data centres are not exempt from these requirements, and local governments retain authority to impose conditions that protect nearby residents and wildlife.

The suggestion that data centres provide little economic benefit also overlooks several realities. While construction employment is temporary, it can involve hundreds of skilled trades positions over several years. Once operational, facilities create highly skilled technical, electrical, security, maintenance, and information technology jobs.

More importantly, they significantly expand the municipal tax base, generating revenue that supports roads, recreation facilities, emergency services, and other local priorities without increasing residential taxes. Finally, the question of environmental assessment should be answered through facts, not suspicion. Alberta has not eliminated environmental oversight.

Projects remain subject to water licensing, emissions regulations, electricity system approvals, municipal planning processes, and environmental protection requirements where applicable. The mere fact that a project proceeds through a different approval pathway does not mean environmental concerns are ignored. Residents of The City of Brooks and the County of Newell should absolutely ask tough questions.

We should demand transparency, independent studies, and clear commitments from developers. But we should also ensure that our decisions are based on the realities of proposed Alberta projects rather than worst-case examples drawn from unrelated jurisdictions. Data centres are not impact-free.

No major industrial development is. The real question is not whether impacts exist, but whether modern technology, strong regulation, and local oversight can manage them responsibly while creating long-term economic benefits for our region. John Petrie, Brooks, AB.