Innisfail, a small town in Alberta, Canada recently witnessed community backlash during a meeting organized to present the ambitious carbon removal plans of Deep Sky, which aim to tackle climate change and promote sustainability within the region.
Deep Sky has submitted a proposal to construct a $50 million, 217,000-square-foot facility in Innisfail’s newly established Southwest Industrial Park, with the purpose of testing and advancing new carbon removal technologies.
The gathering began positively, with a room filled with community members who attended to present information about the proposed carbon removal innovation project called Deep Sky Labs. The meeting also offered a chance for locals to listen to the feedback on these plans from the council or administration.
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However, the session took an unexpected turn when approximately 12 residents stood up during the initial land acknowledgment. In a powerful gesture of dissent, they turned their backs on the council, signaling their disapproval even before the plans were discussed in detail.
Following this incident, once meeting participants were invited to speak and present information, council members and Town of Innisfail staff, who are responsible for approving the Deep Sky Labs project, faced considerable opposition and persistent hostility from guests who protested against carbon capture.
As tensions and persistent disruptions towards the council escalated, Mayor Jean Barclay initially proposed a short break. However, within moments, the decision was made to completely adjourn the meeting, which may mark the first instance in the town’s 121-year history that such a decision has been taken.
After this event, Deep Sky released a statement saying “We are pleased to see interest in our project from the community in Innisfail. It’s natural to have questions about a new project, and we’re happy to reassure the town residents that a) carbon removal and storage is safe, b) this technology has the potential to save our planet, and c) it’ll bring jobs and benefits to local taxpayers.”
The announcement concluded with an invitation for residents to learn more about the project during the upcoming open house in September, with the specific dates to be provided soon.
