Markley Group makes record requests
Markley Lowell LLC has filed an extensive public records request with the city of Lowell, targeting communications from city officials critical of its data center operations. This action comes as a lawsuit by residents challenging Markley's generator and cooling tower operations resulted in a court-ordered stay on further generator installation. The city council had previously approved a data center moratorium in response to neighborhood concerns.
Markley Lowell LLC has initiated an extensive public records request with the city of Lowell, seeking correspondence from Mayor Erik Gitschier and City Councilors Sean McDonough and Kim Scott regarding the company's data center operations. The three city officials have been vocal critics of Markley's facility in the Sacred Heart neighborhood. The request, filed by Boston-based law firm Choate, covers communications between the officials and various entities, including residents involved in a lawsuit against Markley, several law firms representing those lawsuits, and advocacy organizations like 350 Mass, Party for Socialism and Liberation, and Honest Future for Lowell.
This records request follows an April lawsuit filed by 10 residents, including Jake Fortes and Eileen Castle, who are challenging a MassDEP decision that authorized Markley's operation of 27 industrial diesel backup generators and 16 cooling towers. The residents contend this was approved without final plan approval and through a "flawed air quality plan." On Monday, Middlesex Superior Court Judge William Barrett granted a motion to stay further installation of emergency backup diesel generators at Markley Lowell while the case proceeds.
Markley Lowell LLC, a colocation data center, expanded its energy infrastructure with additional diesel-fueled backup generators after starting operations in 2016. Neighbors have consistently raised concerns about noise, air quality, and construction disruptions. In response to these concerns, the Lowell City Council approved a one-year data center moratorium in March. City Manager Tom Golden confirmed the City Solicitor's Office is handling the public records request, which Markley warns it will pursue "administrative and legal remedies" if not fulfilled.