Upper Burrell residents seek answers at data center town hall

Residents of Upper Burrell, Pennsylvania, raised concerns about environmental impacts, noise pollution, energy usage, and health risks associated with a proposed data center during a public meeting at Penn State New Kensington. TECfusions, led by founder and CTO Simon Tusha, plans to build a data center at the former Alcoa/Arconic technology center, with a potential power consumption of up to 3 gigawatts over a 20-year build-out. Tusha assured residents the project would not harm the community or environment, highlighting the use of natural gas from existing wells and a closed-loop water cooling system. Despite these assurances, residents like Dan Myers felt township supervisors had already made up their minds, stating, "What I don't like is the supervisors kind of showed their cards. They've made their mind up." Township Supervisors Chairman Ross Walker defended the township's approach, noting research from a visit to another TECfusions center in Clarksville, Virginia, which he described as "very clean, uncluttered, quiet and very well organized." The township is currently developing an ordinance to regulate data centers, which would apply to future construction but not halt the existing project. Concerns about noise from generators, which Tusha said would operate at around 85 decibels, and the project's "green" credentials were also voiced. Tusha stated compliance with federal EPA regulations and regular testing of exhaust. Non-residents attempting to speak were prevented by Chairman Walker, sparking audience protests due to potential impacts on neighboring communities. Some residents expressed dissatisfaction, feeling their questions were sidestepped by the developers.