Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy is proposing a temporary halt on the establishment of AI data centers in the town. Bondy has presented a motion to be decided upon at the upcoming Sept. 8 town council meeting, directing municipal staff to draft an interim control by-law. These by-laws, governed by the provincial Planning Act, enable municipalities to suspend specific types of development in designated areas for up to a year while they review their land use planning policies, with the possibility of extension for another year.
Expressing her stance, Bondy highlighted the importance of safeguarding the town and environment while awaiting the county’s study. She emphasized that this move aims to reassure the public, ensuring that further decisions are based on comprehensive information. Bondy’s initiative comes after Essex County Council initiated steps to gather initial data on data center planning and is awaiting a report outlining the potential for a broader study, including associated costs.
In a related development, the province recently introduced a new framework for AI data centers, emphasizing the adoption of closed-loop systems for water reuse and the full coverage of electricity consumption costs by data centers. Additionally, the framework encourages self-sufficient power generation in projects and establishes a distinct rate class for large new data centers, set higher than existing industrial rate programs for significant electricity users.
However, Green Party leader Mike Schreiner criticized the framework for its perceived lack of robust regulatory backing. Premier Doug Ford defended data centers, urging critics to deepen their understanding of these facilities. He pointed out the irony of municipalities opposing data centers while benefiting from their services.
Bondy, who received online feedback about using AI to respond to a resident, clarified that AI should be viewed as a tool. She stressed the importance of the county determining whether Essex is an appropriate location for a data center from an environmental perspective. Bondy highlighted the need for thorough examination, drawing parallels with past experiences, such as wind turbines placement policies.
Acknowledging the province’s authority in decision-making, Bondy stressed the importance of proactive measures by the council to safeguard the environment and communities in the eventuality of hosting a data center. A local resident, Tyler Reh, has initiated a petition in support of Bondy’s motion, emphasizing the need to mitigate potential adverse impacts on the environment and existing industries in the area.
