Change is inevitable.
How do we shape the change around us?
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR SIP:
Click Here→
Please note: the AUC site is easiest to use on a laptop or computer.
Click: ‘Access Here’ on the Access to the eFiling System
Create a New Personal Account
Login to your email to confirm the account
Login and Continue to eFiling
In the ‘Go To’ search bar, search for: 30732
Click ‘Register’ to participate and acknowledge and agree to the AUC privacy policy and select ‘Intervener’ as your ‘Registration Type’
Fill in the Statement of Intent to Participate and Save to submit
Submit a Statement of Intent to Participate (SIP) to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to explain why the proposed data centre and power plant should not be located within town limits.
Please note:
You do not need to live within the 1,000 m buffer zone to file a SIP (you can leave that section unselected).
The AUC will focus primarily on impacts of the proposed thermal power plant.
Anyone can submit an SIP, regardless of location.
The AUC site is not suited for cell phones - we encourage people to use a laptop for an easier SIP submission
Scroll down for the top 9 concerns which may help you write your SIP.
The Synapse Data Centre project, proposing a ~1 GW AI data centre campus and a 1.4 GW natural gas power plant on roughly 300 acres (121 hectares) has drawn strong opposition in Olds because of its close proximity to residences.
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) rejected the initial application in March 2026 due to deficiencies. Synapse has since reapplied and the new submission is under review.
It is argued that the project is unsuitable for its in-town location near homes, an agricultural college, wetlands, and farmland for these key reasons:
Proximity to residential areas and incompatible zoning
Noise concerns, including infrasound and backup generators
Air pollution and emissions from the gas plant
Insufficient Emergency Preparedness Plan and lack of consultation with county and emergency service providers
Limited public consultation and transparency
High water demand and resource strain
Incomplete environmental and impact assessments
Traffic, infrastructure, and municipal capacity pressures
Project scale and long-term risks outweigh local benefits
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Contributions help cover important advocacy and production expenses, including:
Production costs for the documentary Little Town Big Data
Printing and outreach materials
Website hosting and communications
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Little Town BIG DATA is a documentary series covering the process of a Big Data Centre and Power Plant proposed to a small town.
A snapshot into this moment as rural Alberta is being shaped by Big Tech. The process of how it alters the landscape from vast prairies and open skies to huge infrastructure. Some are hopeful, some are opposed. All have a story to share, a reason for their perspective, and voices that should be heard.
Herb Samis (son of early homesteaders in the district) liked to plant a message in flowers next to the railway line for the train passengers to see. The grain at the rear was used to feed his chickens and pheasants.