Washington County data center draws hundreds of concerned people to township meeting

Hundreds of residents in Hanover Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, recently turned out for a township meeting to express significant concerns regarding a proposed data center campus by Texas-based Prime Data Centers. The project, planned for an industrial park near the Pavilion at Starlake concert venue, involves more than 1.7 million square feet of data warehouses across seven buildings and a 450-megawatt gas-fired power plant to supply its energy needs.

Local residents, including Barbara Minges Sheperd and Mark Dumbovich, raised fears about potential air pollution from the power plant, as well as noise, vibration, and light pollution impacting their health, properties, and quality of life. John Smith, an attorney representing several residents, argued that the township's zoning hearing board must first determine the data center's comparable use before the Board of Supervisors can consider granting a conditional use permit. Township solicitor Dennis Makel acknowledged the need to ensure proper jurisdiction for the decision.

The hearing, which included hours of testimony from residents seeking legal status in the case, was ultimately continued until August 31 due to objections from the residents' legal representatives. Supervisors voted to grant party standing to about three dozen people, allowing them to cross-examine witnesses and appeal future decisions. Kerri Hageter, who helped organize community involvement, noted the strong turnout as a "small victory" in what is expected to be a lengthy process.