Nova Scotia Council Holds Marathon Meeting on Proposed $8B Data Centre as Warden Reports Threats
Richmond County council in Nova Scotia held a public session lasting over three hours to debate EverWind Fuels' proposed $8 billion data centre in Point Tupper. Residents raised concerns about water supply, grid strain, and fire risks, while supporters cited economic benefits. Council Warden Lois Landry reported receiving threats related to the project.
Richmond County council in Nova Scotia held a public session lasting three hours and 10 minutes on Tuesday evening to debate a proposed $8-billion data centre facility in Point Tupper. The project, announced on Oct. 16 by EverWind Fuels, would see its first phase leased to Anthropic for a term of at least 20 years to power the company's artificial intelligence assistant, Claude.
During the meeting, which allowed a standard 10-minute limit for public comments, residents delivered 26 presentations outlining both opposition and support for the development. Concerns focused on the protection of Landrie Lake, which supplies water to Point Tupper and Port Hawkesbury, as well as potential strain on the provincial power grid, noise pollution, and the risk of industrial fires.
Resident Jalissa Stewart, who lives a 20-minute drive from the site, cited a controversy in Loudoun County, Virginia, where emergency diesel generators ran for 24 hours during a power outage without being shut off by authorities.
Supporters of the project pointed to economic opportunity and prosperity. Resident Barry Landry argued that decades of legislation and regulations, such as those enacted following the Westray mine disaster, would ensure the development follows established rules.
Richmond County Warden Lois Landry stated that over the past 10 days she has received private messages and emails containing profanities, accusations of corruption, and threats related to the project. One threatening email expressed hope that her wells would go dry and wildfires would burn her houses down due to alleged corrupt decisions.
EverWind Fuels has scheduled two community engagement sessions regarding the proposal: one on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at D'Escousse Civic Improvement Hall, and another on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Riverdale Community Centre. Meanwhile, opponents have planned a protest for Friday along the highway in Auld's Cove, with additional protests scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7.