Business · Companies · 2 hrs ago
Cree Nation seeks review of planned Alberta data center
The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation is seeking a judicial review of plans for the Wonder Valley data center in Alberta, Canada.
The development, proposed by O’Leary Digital in the Nation’s traditional territory, is planned to cover 64 square kilometers and cost $70 billion.
A physicist hired by the Nation estimates that the facility could release heat equivalent in energy to 23 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs each day, but says the comparison is meant to show scale, not describe explosions.
He says the figures are preliminary and need to be checked against the developer’s own filings.
The assessment warns that existing land rules may not fit a project of this scale and raises concerns about effects on nearby wildlife.
O’Leary Digital’s CEO says the company respects the regulatory process and remains committed to consultation with Indigenous communities; the Nation’s legal challenge is now seeking a review of the plans.
The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation has filed for a judicial review of the planned O’Leary Digital Wonder Valley data center in Alberta.
The project is planned for the Nation’s traditional territory, about 130 km southwest of its reserve.
A physicist hired by the Nation says the facility could produce substantial waste heat and that current land-development rules were not designed for a project of this scale.
The developer says it respects the regulatory process and is engaging with Indigenous communities.
The project was first unveiled in 2024 and is planned as a $70 billion development covering 64 square kilometers.
- Who
- The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation filed for a judicial review of the project.
- What
- The Nation is seeking a review of plans for O’Leary Digital Wonder Valley, a proposed data center.
- When
- The plans were first unveiled in 2024. The filing date is not stated.
- Where
- In the Nation’s traditional territory in Alberta, about 130 km southwest of its reserve.
- Why
- The Nation’s physicist says the project’s scale and waste heat raise concerns, and that current land-development rules are not suited to it.
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
O’Leary Digital
Project regulation
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
The Nation’s physicist says current land-development rules were not designed for a project of this scale and calls for full assessments.
O’Leary Digital
The developer says it respects the robust and stringent regulatory process it must follow.
Community engagement
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
The Nation has filed for a judicial review of the project.
O’Leary Digital
The developer says it is having productive dialogue with Indigenous communities through consultation and engagement.
Plans for O’Leary Digital Wonder Valley were first unveiled.
The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation filed for a judicial review of the project.
- Project budget
- $70 billion
- Planned area
- 64 square kilometers
- Distance from reserve
- About 130 km southwest
- Physicist
- Robert Davies of Utah State University
What people are saying
The effect will almost certainly be large, if not extreme.
I can't imagine allowing it to go forward without those full assessments
We also respect the robust and stringent regulatory process we must follow in advancing Wonder Valley… we’re having productive dialogue with Indigenous communities through consultation and engagement, and we remain committed to that work.