hey, here's a link to look up your local MP's email to let them know that 1. we want to see the environmental assessment 2. no more data centres until regulatory law catches up.
for those in BC, write to your MLA.
If you want to write your politicians but don't know what to say, under the cut you'll find what I just sent to my MP and MLA, feel free to copy and rework it however you like:
Dear [your MP], [your MLA],
My name is [something] and I have been a resident of [city] for the past [x] years. I have seen the recent government announcements regarding AI data centres in British Columbia and I have serious concerns about the viability of these projects.
I am writing you both, as my MP and MLA respectively, to express these concerns in the hopes that you will push back against these plans as an obvious disaster in the making for BC and Canada.
AI data centres consume massive amounts of power and water, in addition to producing significant noise, heat, and air pollution. We are already living in a world where Vancouver has enacted its Stage 2 water restrictions - in May! Within the last year, BC Hydro has stated that the province will need an enormous increase in our power supply in the upcoming decade to account for rising demand - where on earth is that going to come from if these centres are getting 85% of their enormous power needs from BC Hydro?
Are we really so short-sighted that we intend to commit ourselves to projects that will consume disproportionate amounts of our precious natural resources, over and above the needs of the actual citizens who live, work, and importantly, pay taxes here? Where are the environmental and viability assessments for these centres? What is the regulatory scheme that will provide oversight and enforcement for these centres? Who is responsible for ensuring that they don't create a negative effect on the lives of your constituents?
As a [city] resident, I hope you will be pushing back against these plans and raising these concerns in your upcoming legislative sessions. Canada and BC should be investing our limited natural resources in sustainable, renewable projects that will benefit residents in the long term, not line the pockets of Telus executives in the short term.
With respect,
[sign it however]
