{
  "id": 12228804,
  "title": "2nd potential AI data centre worries Saint John residents: ‘We have questions’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/2nd-potential-ai-data-centre-worries-saint-john-residents-we-have-12228804",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-05T20:52:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news-globalnews",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12088310/saint-john-lorneville-second-data-centre-proposal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A second potential data centre in Saint John, N.B., is raising concerns for residents who are already fighting a proposed facility near the community of Lorneville. These data centres, crucial to artificial intelligence (AI) and other high-tech industries, consume massive amounts of electricity for both operation and cooling of computer servers. Residents express worry about the environmental impact, potential health effects, and strain on the power grid.\n\nLauren Smith, a resident and member of the local advocacy group Save Lorneville, worries that existing regulations are outdated and do not address the rapid advancements in AI and data centers. She stated, “A lot of this is very concerning because the technology that we’re dealing with, AI and data centres, it’s moving faster than government regulations.” She urges addressing noise ordinances, industrial uses, and 24/7 pollution, which are not currently regulated.\n\nSave Lorneville recently obtained documents under a right to information request, revealing another large-scale data centre proposal for Saint John by Cross River Infrastructure Partners. The company is initially requesting 50 megawatts of power, with potential expansion, from the provincial Crown corporation Opportunities New Brunswick. However, the corporation has not commented on the matter.\n\nResidents are concerned about the power and water costs, as well as how these resources would be made available. They also question who will pay for the necessary electrical grid upgrades and what subsidies might be provided. NB Power explains that projects of this size require \"contractual flexibility\" to protect the grid and rates, and must align with the company's long-term supply plan.\n\nSmith also highlights the uncertainty around the impact of these data centres on human health and greenhouse gas emissions. While other regions grapple with AI data centre regulation, Canada recently announced an AI strategy that includes plans for large-scale facilities. Nova Scotia has taken a more open approach, considering projects if they meet environmental and economic criteria, while Ontario municipalities have discussed placing moratoriums on data centres amid ongoing consultations.\n\nSmith emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and proper consultation from the New Brunswick government regarding potential projects. She warns that a hyperscale data centre in Lorneville would not be a local issue but would affect the entire province, urging residents to be concerned about the risks and costs associated with such facilities.",
  "summary": "A second potential A.I. data centre in Saint John, N.B., is raising new questions for residents already fighting one proposed near the community of Lorneville.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "2nd potential AI data centre worries Saint John residents: ‘We have questions’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/2nd-potential-ai-data-centre-worries-saint-john-residents-we-have",
        "published": "2026-10-05T20:52:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}