Canada issues early decision on Mihta Askiy data center

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) completed an assessment and determined no further assessment under the Impact Assessment Act is required for the Mihta Askiy Data Center Project.

• Main announcement: IAAC issued a section 16 early decision finding the project’s potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means; the proponent, Cree Ative Datacenter Corp GP, must now seek required federal and provincial authorizations and permits. Key project facts: 650 megawatts natural-gas-fired power generation to support a new data center located about 40 kilometres northeast of Peace River, Alberta, two-stage design (initial simple-cycle gas turbines, later conversion to combined cycle), 30-year expected operation, and the assessment process took 64 days.
• Background and process details: IAAC reached its decision after engaging other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples; it relied on existing federal and Alberta laws including the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act, and Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Hydro and Electric Energy Act, Historical Resources Act, Water Act, and Public Lands Act. The IAAC Notice of Early Decision with Reasons is published online and lists the documents and factors considered.