AI data centres have become a hot-button political issue the world over, and in British Columbia it’s no different.
Earlier this year, the federal government announced backing for “sovereign AI data centre” clusters led by Telus in Vancouver and Kelowna.
That announcement drew support from industry and provincial and municipal leaders, but sparked protests among groups citing concerns about big tech and environmental impacts.
With B.C.’s election day less than a week away, how the province’s political parties approach the issue could play a role in who forms the next government.
Ottawa announces funding for AI, new data centres in B.C.
B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson says data centres are something to “contemplate” going forward.
“Obviously the data centres are important, but we’ve got significant challenges with water in this province, you know, in places that you would never think,” he said.
The B.C. Green Party, meanwhile, is calling for a moratorium on the construction of new data centres until stronger regulation and environmental policies are in place.
“We have allowed AI tech companies to charge forward and tell us what’s going to be beneficial rather than independently evaluating the cost and benefit to this province,” said Green Leader Emily Lowan.
B.C. Greens calling on province to stop AI data centres, contain water usage
The B.C. NDP pointed to its Energy Statutes Amendment Act as an example of how it has approached the issue.
The policy requires data centre proponents to compete for a limited quantity of electricity, prioritizing those with environmental benefits and First Nations involvement.
“We as a government require them to meet certain hurdles,” NDP Leader David Eby said.
“They’re going to pay a higher electricity rate. They’re going to ensure that they’re not wasting water, using water that is closed loop systems and that they’re providing employment.”
OneBC told CBC News it was not explicitly for or against data centres.
“It will always depend on what the plan is, how it will effect the community and what will allow local residents to live their lives without undue disruption,” spokesperson Wyatt Claypool said in a statement.
“Data centres are important for the development of our digital services but like with any project issues around time, place, and manner will always be considered.”
CentreBC did not respond to a request for comment.
Public concerns about data centres have often focused on the facilities’ potential for heavy water and power consumption, along with air and noise pollution when they use on-site generators.
And while British Columbia has dozens of hydroelectric dams, persistent drought in the province has left the province reliant on power imports from the United States in recent years.
“We’re simply getting to the point where there may not be enough electricity to go around in the next few years simply because we haven’t been generating enough to make ourselves self-sufficient,” said Barry Penner, chair of the Energy Futures Institute.
Telus says the data centres announced in May will run on 98 per cent clean hydro power and recycle enough waste energy to heat 150,000 homes, while using 90 per cent less water than traditional data centres.
But some experts are still recommending a cautious approach to the new industry.
“We need to maybe slow down a little bit and make sure we do it right rather than do it wrong and have to pay later,” University of British Columbia economics professor Werner Antweiler said.
In the meantime, construction and planning continues on the Telus clusters, while B.C. Hydro has been reviewing applications for new projects.
British Columbians go to the polls on Saturday, Oct. 24.
