‘We don’t want it’: Lower Mount Bethel residents raise concerns about data center proposal at town hall

Lower Mount Bethel Township residents voiced overwhelming opposition to a proposed 1.2 gigawatt, $5.5 billion data center at a town hall meeting held at Bangor Middle School. Developers, including J.G. Petrucci Company Inc., Peron Development, and Talen Energy, attempted to address concerns about energy use, environmental impact, and noise during the nearly three-hour meeting, emphasizing potential benefits such as increased tax revenue, job creation, and redevelopment of underutilized land. John Callahan, director for development at Peron, stressed transparency and community engagement, while Peter Polt, Executive Vice President at J.G. Petrucci, highlighted the project's sustainability and proximity to the Martins Creek power plant and existing infrastructure. Dale Lebsack, Chief Asset Development Officer at Talen Energy, claimed the data center would use 50 million gallons of water annually and that its owner would contract with Talen for power and PPL for transmission services, covering all necessary grid upgrades. However, residents like Genevieve Terpstra, Marge Holmes, and Scott Kindred expressed deep distrust and skepticism. Concerns ranged from the environmental impact, water consumption, and noise levels to the developers' trustworthiness and the lack of precise plans, including an end-user. Maya K. Van Rossum from Delaware Riverkeeper criticized the developers for not truly listening to community priorities and suggesting that the community could be "bought." Scott Kindred specifically raised alarms about the developers seeking zoning changes to expand the industrial zone, warning of a "dangerous precedent for zoning variances." Matthew Taylor questioned the necessity and benefits of an "AI data center" for the community. Callahan clarified that developers believe the case meets the standard for spot zoning and that future zoning could be changed. Developers' next steps involve submitting proposals for amendments to the industrial zone ordinance, incorporating "key protections and requirements" based on community feedback.