The Municipality of Cumberland has approved a moratorium on data centers supporting artificial intelligence. The bylaw initiating a six-month pause on development permit applications for such data centers was unanimously approved during the council’s meeting. Concerns raised by residents about the potential impact of water and electricity consumption from these data centers on the community and the environment were cited by Coun. Jennifer Houghtaling as a reason for the moratorium.
Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy mentioned that their council is among the first in Nova Scotia to take this step, similar to Oakville, Ont., which recently imposed a one-year moratorium on new data centers. The decision to implement the moratorium was driven by the lack of inquiries and applications received by the municipality regarding data center development.
Kate Dunn, a resident of Malagash, expressed support for the moratorium, pointing out the adverse effects such facilities could have on rural life in Cumberland County. She emphasized the need for careful consideration of the value and impact of AI data centers before allowing their expansion. Dunn also highlighted the possibility of government intervention overriding municipal regulations, drawing parallels to past incidents with wind turbines.
As the debate around AI data centers intensifies across North America, a recent Angus Reid poll revealed significant public opposition to their construction, with concerns ranging from environmental impact to job creation. The poll indicated strong support for heavy government regulation of AI technology, despite potential delays in development.
The municipality plans to proceed with a public hearing in September before scheduling the second reading of the bylaw. The decision to impose a moratorium reflects a proactive approach by Cumberland officials to address community concerns and ensure informed decision-making regarding the establishment of AI data centers in the region.