Port Hawkesbury Council Seeks Answers From EverWind Fuels Over Proposed Point Tupper Data Centre
Port Hawkesbury town council has directed staff to gather detailed information from EverWind Fuels about a proposed data centre at its Point Tupper property, amid concerns from officials and residents over water supply protection, environmental impacts, and local job creation.
Port Hawkesbury’s town council and local residents are pressing EverWind Fuels for details regarding a data centre planned for the company's property in Point Tupper, N.S. The council held its first public discussion on the subject Tuesday night, nearly two weeks after EverWind revealed the data centre plan.
During the meeting, council members voted to direct town staff to gather information from EverWind and provide a follow-up report. Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton insisted that any data centre plan cannot jeopardize Landrie Lake, the main water supply for Port Hawkesbury and Point Tupper.
Deputy Mayor Todd Barrett stated he is "all for economic development, but not at the expense of our water or our resources." Other councillors also expressed support for economic growth while raising questions about potential environmental costs, including energy and water usage.
Resident Craig Power claimed data centres can generate heat increases for 10 kilometres of up to two degrees Celsius and create few jobs due to skeleton crew operations. As of Oct. 6, EverWind Fuels had not confirmed whether its proposed centre would involve artificial intelligence production.
Richmond County Warden Lois Landry said she is open to the idea if it meets regulations and does not harm local water supplies. EverWind indicated its priorities are to protect ratepayers, water resources, and the environment, and to ensure infrastructure costs are covered by the developer.