New Salem Twp. data center developer touts experience, environmental edge

QTS, a data center developer, has acquired approximately 1,700 acres in Salem Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, for a new data center campus. The acquisition, valued at over half a billion dollars, was formally recorded with Luzerne County deeds on Monday. The site is located adjacent to land owned by Amazon Web Services, which is also designated for a data center campus near the Talen Energy nuclear power plant. In an emailed statement, QTS highlighted its more than two decades of experience in designing, building, and operating data centers across the U.S. and Europe. The company emphasized its commitment to responsible and sustainable digital infrastructure, stating it prioritizes community needs through job creation, economic growth, and working with local suppliers. A key aspect of QTS's approach, as detailed by the company, is its environmentally conscious water-free cooling system. Unlike many data centers that heavily rely on community water for cooling, QTS facilities utilize a closed-loop system, consuming municipal water only for standard building needs. The company claims this technology saved nearly 1.5 billion gallons of water in 2024, ensuring no impact on local water resources. Planning for the Salem Township data center campus is in its preliminary stages, and while a master plan has been provided, it is likely to be amended. QTS may present a revised plan as early as March 26 at a planning commission meeting, with more specific project details to be released as planning advances.