‘Grave injustice’

Dear Editor:

RE: Former Wolverine property eyed for possible AI data centre campus, July 9.

These AI data centres are known to consume vast quantities of water and electricity, but an insidious aspect, not always considered, is the noise emanating from them. 

Celebrated environmental activist Erin Brockovich has noted: “The relentless humming, hissing and buzzing ... that run 24/7 drives local residents ‘mad’ and causes them to feel like they are ‘going insane.’” 

I would add to her apt description that the noise pollution has a tonal characteristic that permeates walls and closed windows. My wife and I, along with neighbours in Fergus have been on a 15-month saga of suffering caused by a local manufacturing facility.

Being motivated to get in the car and drive to a park or a rural setting to gain restorative energy, when such joy was formerly available by simply walking out one’s back door, is both sadly ironic, as well as a grave injustice. 

Late in the evening, on considering sleep (which isn’t exactly a slam dunk in the context of the relentless racket), a thought frequently troubles me: that my family and I are very small fish in a big pond and the big fish generally hold sway. 

This company has cunningly and callously shifted their burden of duty to comply with environmental norms onto us in terms of lodging complaints. 

This news article provides residents within earshot of this proposed centre with time to mount an opposition, if they so choose. 

We were not given no such warning with the noise pollution being sprung on us as a fait accompli which I deeply resent. 

Allan Berry,
Fergus