Midvalley towns to hold hearings on data center regulations, power plants
Throop is preparing to consider a comprehensive zoning ordinance for data centers as its six-month moratorium expires, aiming to regulate future developments as conditional uses. Meanwhile, Archbald and Dickson City are holding hearings on proposals from Essential Energy LLC and Dickson City Power, associated with Kriger Construction Inc., to build multiple power plants and data centers. Dickson City zoners have already rejected appeals for four data centers.
Throop Borough Council is poised to consider a new zoning ordinance for data centers, which would classify them as conditional uses on a 351-acre parcel, as the borough's six-month moratorium on such developments nears its end. Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Andy Hegedus emphasized that the proposed regulations are designed to provide robust protections for residents, despite Throop being the only Midvalley community yet to receive a data center proposal.
Simultaneously, neighboring towns Archbald and Dickson City are conducting hearings regarding data center and associated power plant projects. Essential Energy LLC is seeking approval for a 400-megawatt natural gas power plant in Archbald, while Dickson City Power proposes three natural gas power plants totaling 600 megawatts in Dickson City. Both companies are linked to Kriger Construction Inc., which is also behind a nearly 620,000-square-foot "Project Boson" data center in Archbald. Dickson City's Zoning Hearing Board has already rejected appeals to build four data centers on Bell Mountain.
The draft ordinance in Throop is extensive, establishing stringent restrictions on building height, mandating community benefits agreements, and prohibiting on-site power generation as a primary data center use. It requires comprehensive studies for noise, vibration, and water feasibility, with a focus on closed-loop cooling systems. The legislation also addresses electricity documentation, emergency management, and mandates financial security for decommissioning. The selected site for conditional use zoning, an environmental conservation district, is strategically located to provide buffers between data centers and the town.
A key point of discussion involves the common exemption of backup generators from noise restrictions during emergencies, which is increasingly scrutinized by federal authorities. Hegedus indicated that this language in the ordinance might be amended after its adoption to ensure municipal peace and tranquility.