Stink and AI: West End slams biosolids site, Nebius pitches data center
Nebius AI presented plans for a six-building, 600-acre data center in Butler Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The company addressed concerns about power and water usage, proposing an agreement with PPL for 1.2 gigawatts and closed-loop cooling systems. An open house for the project is scheduled for August 6th.
Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, is at the center of a debate over local development, with Nebius AI presenting plans for a large data center complex. Danielle Milich, U.S. public affairs manager for Nebius AI, detailed a proposed six-building, 600-acre data center at the Highridge Business Park in Butler Township. The project aims to create approximately 100 full-time jobs and would be powered by up to 1.2 gigawatts from PPL, with Nebius paying the full cost of electricity.
Milich emphasized the company's commitment to community partnership and addressing environmental concerns, highlighting the use of closed-loop cooling systems to minimize water withdrawal, "ultra-quiet" fans, and acoustical sound walls. She acknowledged public skepticism regarding data center developments, stating, "We understand completely why there's hesitancy."
An open house for the proposed data center project is scheduled for August 6th at North Schuylkill High School in Ashland. This data center discussion occurred during a county commissioners meeting where significant local opposition was voiced against the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) permit renewal for Natural Soil Products' municipal biosolids composting facility in Frailey Township, citing severe odor issues and repeated permit violations.