Calgary councillors calling for data centre development freeze, new rules

Two city councillors want to carve out new rules for data centres. Currently one project is proposed for this site in northeast Calgary. They consume a lot of energy as well as water and there's a gap in policy for advancement of technology. Do we have all the mechanisms in place to support a process of approving these kind of data centres which I feel we don't. Wyness and Dhaliwal are working on a motion to look at what other jurisdictions are doing and how Calgary could set up a framework for large data centers. Legally, we cannot stop this application. It has to go through. But at the same time, I think we need to do our due diligence. The proposed data center would be built just north of the community of Redstone. The city lists Stantec Consulting as the applicant, while real estate management company Walton Global owns the land, according to its website. The application wants to allow for large industrial data center buildings and power generation, as well as natural areas and stormwater retention ponds. While data centres are drawing concerns on council, the province has encouraged data centre development in Alberta, saying they'll generate billions through taxes and royalties for needed services and help preserve low taxes for Albertans. The opportunity for our province is enormous. Data centres mean new demand for Alberta Power, Alberta Natural Gas and Alberta's workers. But for the time being, the Ward 2 Councillor wants a freeze on new large-scale projects in Calgary. Yes, until we get a solid policy in there that can address the risks the data centres has to our infrastructure, it is the best way for us to tackle and make sure we can provide water and energy to all of Calgary. CBC News contacted both Stantec and Walton but didn't hear back before deadline. Wyness and Dhaliwal plan to bring their proposal before City Council next month. Brendan Coulter, CBC News, Calgary City Hall.