Data center fight continues in Archbald | 28/22 News
Archbald residents in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, are actively opposing the proposed Wildcat Ridge data center due to concerns over health and air quality from its 588 diesel backup generators. At a recent hearing, residents presented findings from an environmental health scientist, highlighting potential negative impacts. The lengthy approval process gives residents hope the project might be abandoned.
ARCHBALD, Pa. - A protracted development dispute over a massive data center proposal known as Wildcat Ridge in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, is ongoing, with local residents intensifying their opposition. The project, which involves a 570-acre campus with 14 buildings and an estimated 588 diesel generators, faces significant community resistance over potential health and air quality concerns.
During the sixth public hearing since January, Archbald residents, who had fundraised to hire an environmental health scientist, presented expert testimony. The scientist's findings indicated potential for substantial negative health impacts on nearby populations due to the proposed scale of the diesel backup generation system and the lack of clarity regarding its operational frequency. Residents, including one who has battled lung and throat cancer, expressed heightened concern over the particulate emissions.
Despite the developer's responsibility to demonstrate the project's safety, the application reportedly lacks details on generator usage. Opponents view the extended duration of the approval process as a sign of hope, with some believing that the financial strain on developers might lead to the project's withdrawal. The community remains resolute in its efforts to challenge the data center proposal.