Olyphant, PA Weighs $101M Data Center Settlement Vote
Olyphant Borough Council is preparing to vote on a proposed $101 million settlement with ERCOR Triboro LLC over a planned seven-building data center project. The agreement would resolve ERCOR's lawsuit and provide substantial payments to the borough, but opponents say it would bypass public conditional-use hearings and limit residents' ability to challenge the project.
Olyphant Borough Council is scheduled to consider a $101 million settlement with ERCOR Triboro LLC related to Project Triboro, a proposed seven-building data center campus and substation on 470.61 acres. The agreement would resolve ERCOR's lawsuit seeking permits for the project and provide the borough with recurring payments, permit fees and funds for public safety, infrastructure, parks and homeowner property-tax assistance.
The settlement has drawn opposition from residents including Stop Olyphant Data Centers organizers Eva Rappenglueck and Natalia Berjashi, as well as former councilman Bill Gaughan. They argue that the deal would allow the developer to avoid public hearings required under the borough's recently amended conditional-use zoning rules. Borough solicitor John Brazil has defended the agreement, citing its financial and operational protections, including closed-loop cooling, noise limits and generator restrictions.
ERCOR's project is expected to require about 1 gigawatt of electricity and could use hundreds of backup generators. The company sued after Olyphant tightened its zoning ordinance, arguing that earlier land-development approvals established vested rights to build data centers; the borough asked the court to dismiss the case. The council's upcoming vote will determine whether the settlement and associated community benefits agreement move forward.