ACEN

Alberta is facing growing scrutiny over its rapid expansion of data centres, driven largely by demand from the artificial intelligence industry. Reports highlight the strain on local water supplies, electricity grids and natural gas resources, with rural communities and utilities caught up in the push. Critics frame it as an environmental reckoning, raising questions about whether the economic benefits outweigh the costs to land, water and climate commitments in the province.

New Jersey regulators have issued a record $1.1 million fine against DataOne's datacenter in Vineland after dozens of unpermitted diesel generators were documented at the site. The enforcement followed a visual investigation by Floodlight in partnership with The Guardian, which revealed the facility was running equipment without permits. The case has drawn attention to the environmental footprint and oversight of rapidly expanding datacenter infrastructure.

Datacenter developers in the United States are facing accusations that they are circumventing key pollution regulations. According to reporting by The Guardian, the rapid buildout of datacenter infrastructure may be exploiting gaps or exemptions in environmental rules, raising concerns among regulators and communities about air, water and emissions impacts as the industry expands at pace.

Critics are accusing the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board of risking the retirement savings of 22 million Canadians by backing gas power plants meant to serve AI data centres. The argument is that the pension fund should act in contributors' best interest, not gamble on fossil fuel infrastructure whose value could erode as clean energy advances and AI demand shifts.