Developer defends Montgomery County data center proposals amid growing opposition

Brian O'Neill, the developer behind MLP Ventures, is steadfastly defending his plans for two data center campuses in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, despite considerable community backlash and public meetings marked by fierce opposition. O'Neill is seeking approval for a 4.5 million-square-foot data center in King of Prussia and a 2 million-square-foot facility at 900 Conshohocken Road in Plymouth Township.

O'Neill highlights the potential for hundreds of construction and permanent jobs, alongside hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue, which he asserts would significantly benefit Plymouth Township and its school district. He dismisses the opposition as stemming from "misinformation being propagated by a bunch of people that are trying to stir up acrimony."

Residents, however, voice concerns over potential noise and light pollution, increased utility bills, and water usage. O'Neill counters these anxieties by stating his projects will utilize closed-loop water systems, generate their own electricity, produce no light pollution, and adhere to local noise limits. He suggests that opponents are unwilling to believe the facts because they are motivated by a desire to "fight for the sake of the fight."

The Plymouth Township Council recently announced its unanimous opposition to the project, alleging that O'Neill rejected over 40 proposed safeguards and conditions. O'Neill refutes this, calling it a "boldfaced lie" and claiming he agreed to most requests, believing discussions were still active. He expressed a desire for cooperation with the community to make it "the best data center in the country."