Regional Roundup
July 8, 2026
A $4.6-billion plant to be built in Sturgeon County to generate power for a data centre will likely contribute to increased electricity costs for Albertans, says the Pembina Institute, an energy think tank. The Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corp. (no relation), Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, and Kineticor Asset Management have decided to proceed with the Greenlight Electricity Centre, which is expected to generate at least 932 megawatts when it comes on stream in 2030. "We're proud to be first movers in meeting Alberta's large-scale data centre power needs and helping establish the infrastructure required to support this rapidly growing industry," said Scott Burrows, the pipeline company's CEO.
Premier Danielle Smith has said the province's "bring your own power" model will keep electricity affordable and reliable. "By having data centres bring their own generation and pay for related power infrastructure, this framework ensures that projects like this one will actually reduce transmission costs on Alberta's utility bills," Smith said at a news conference about the Greenlight project. But David Pickup, the Pembina Institute's director of electricity, said the project will increase demand for natural gas. "This, combined with Prime Minister (Mark) Carney's announcement today that Canada intends to triple (liquid natural gas) exports over the next decade, will expose Albertans to much more intense market competition for the gas they rely on heavily to heat their homes and power their grid," Pickup said in a release. He noted the missed opportunity to include wind and solar in the energy mix, and called the decision "yet another indicator of how Alberta structurally locks in demand for gas above all else."
Opponents have also raised concerns about the environmental and social consequences of data centres. Land-use ecologist Brad Stelfox submitted a report to the Alberta Utilities Commission suggesting that communities near data centres will experience increased water demand leading to water scarcity, as well as noise, light, and air pollution. Similar concerns led Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to reject a large AI data centre proposed for farmland south of Winnipeg, citing environmental and economic drawbacks. Some residents in Olds are also rallying against a proposed data centre, powered by 1.4 gigawatts of electricity from burning natural gas.
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Economic development
- Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Danielle Smith announced the proposed route for the West Coast Oil Pipeline Project. It would run from Bruderheim to Roberts Bank terminal in Delta, B.C., along the Trans Mountain pipeline route. The proposal put before the Major Projects Office on July 2 names Pembina Pipeline (a partner in the newly approved $4.6 billion Greenlight Energy Centre) and Trans Mountain Corporation as private partners. Carney made a "low-ball" estimate that the pipeline will create $200 billion in direct investment and create more than 175,000 jobs. At the same news conference, Carney said the Oil Sands Alliance and the federal and provincial governments have agreed on terms for the Pathways carbon capture, utilization, and storage project.
- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a proposed route for a 3,300-kilometre Northern Shield pipeline to carry oil, natural gas, and other energy products from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Southern Ontario. The line would run from Hardisty and pass near Regina and Winnipeg on its way to Sarnia, Ont., carrying an estimated 500,000 barrels of oil a day with potential expansion to 800,000. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said his province won't join the project because Indigenous groups weren't involved from the start.
- Larry Young of Total Containment in Nisku and Dan Fujinaga of C-FER Technologies explored the role that pipelines play in the hydrogen economy on the Hydrogen 2.0 podcast from the Edmonton Region Hydrogen Hub.
Municipalities
- St. Albert council approved more than $1 million in additional funding for improvements to the Campbell Road and Boudreau Road intersection, which racked up 64 crashes between 2022 and 2024. The extra funding covers a variance in the tender price for the project, which includes turn-lane extensions and redesigned turn islands. Completion is expected by the end of the 2027 construction season.
- Strathcona County council has voted to renovate and expand the current site of the Sherwood Park 55+ Club and Log Cabin, adding more than 6,700 square feet in usable space at an estimated cost of $9 million to $10 million. The senior centre project is part of Strathcona County's 2027-30 capital plan; the final budget and timeline will be determined in the fall.
- Coun. Sheena Hughes is bringing forward a motion to bar people over 19 from being cast in shows from the St. Albert's Children's and Community Theatre, saying adult actors, some in their 40s and 50s, have been taking key roles meant for kids. She pointed to a recent production of Annie with cast members ranging in age from eight to 60, and said a separate program could be developed for older actors.
- Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw said the province's viability review process for the Town of Gibbons placed a major strain on county resources, which had to complete detailed provincial workbooks. The review ended with the province confirming Gibbons will remain independent, though Hnatiw said the fairness and funding for receiving municipalities should be scrutinized.
- The Town of Gibbons is inviting residents to join its assessment review board, subdivision and development appeal board, and community services advisory board.
- The City of Leduc is seeking public input on a potential stand-alone youth centre in Kinsmen Park, a location that the Boys and Girls Club Leduc has been eyeing for programming currently run out of the Leduc Recreation Centre. Mayor Lars Hansen said no decisions have been made, and the city is gathering feedback on the location and on how the centre could be owned and operated. An online survey is open until Sept. 13, and open houses will be held in August.
- The Town of Devon has renewed its lease for the Devon Public Library until 2031. The agreement has provisions allowing the town to exit the lease with two years' notice, as the town is exploring options for where the library should be located. The town also renewed its fire services agreement with Parkland County.
- Public engagement opportunities in the region include Stony Plain's ongoing community parties to gather feedback on its municipal development plan and a survey on the City of Leduc's proposal to annex land from Leduc County.
Headlines
- Social Life Magazine explored Devon's pros and cons for home ownership in the context of the region, noting its property tax rate of about 0.81% and housing priced as low as $139,000.
- Lime has acquired Neuron Mobility Canada and will take over its e-scooter and e-bike operations in St. Albert, Beaumont, Red Deer, Blackfalds, Lacombe, and Sylvan Lake, as well as other Canadian cities.
- The Sherwood Park location of the defunct L'OCA Quality Market is up for sale via Marcus & Millichap.
- Spruce Grove named a ball diamond after Stuart Houston, honouring the former mayor for his 17 years of involvement in local minor baseball and 24 years as a councillor and mayor supporting recreational facility development.
Happenings
Here are some events coming up over the next seven days:
- July 8: Dancing in the Park starting at 7pm at Telford House in Leduc
- July 8: Sauna & S'mores Nights starting at 7pm at Rising Moon Studio in Strathcona County
- July 9: Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Farm Tour starting at 7:30am at Sturgeon Agriplex
- July 9: Fort Saskatchewan Farmers' Market starting at 4pm at Legacy Park
- July 9: Plaza Series: Mariachi and a Bluesy Serenade: Sean Pinchin and Mariachi Loco starting at 7pm at Arden Theatre
- July 9: Cultural Campfires: Canadian Heritage starting at 7pm at Shikaoi Park in Stony Plain
- July 10-11: RavenWood Music Festival at Festival Place
- July 12: Tour de L'Alberta - Biking Like A Viking starting at 8am at Strathcona Olympiette Centre
- Until July 12: Historic Festival and Doors Open at Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
And here are some upcoming events to keep in mind:
- July 16-19: Alberta Summer Games in Strathcona County
- July 18: Leduc Arts Foundry Art Walk at Leduc Arts Foundry (Downtown)
- July 20: Edmonton Regional Innovation Network Member Monday online
Visit the Taproot Edmonton Calendar for many more events in the Edmonton region.
This roundup was sponsored by Park Power.
Park Power is your friendly, local utilities provider, offering electricity, natural gas, and internet throughout Alberta. Park Power offers low rates, awesome service, and through their Community Partners program, shares 10% of electricity profits with some awesome Alberta charities. Their Green Power program supports the production of renewable energy in Alberta and their Solar Club helps Albertans gain more value from their investment in solar power.