South Whitehall Township data center project faces noise concerns, community opposition
A proposed 1.5-million-square-foot data center, "Project Atlas," in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, is facing significant community opposition due to concerns about noise, traffic, and water. A township-funded sound study found the projected noise levels would be substantially louder than ambient sound at night. The township Planning Commission will meet in September, with a final decision from the township commissioners expected by October 31.
Anna Clement and Superintendent Mark Madson of Parkland High School in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, are expressing significant concerns about a proposed 1.5-million-square-foot data center, dubbed "Project Atlas," due to potential noise disruption to nearby homes and the high school. Clement, who home-schools her children, and Madson, representing the state's fifth-largest high school, worry about low-frequency noise impacting education and quality of life.
A township-funded sound propagation study found that predicted nighttime noise from the data center would exceed existing ambient levels by 30 decibels, perceived as eight times louder. Despite developer Edged U.S.'s claims of "quiet operations" (less than 54 dB at property lines) and "zero water used for daily cooling operations" with a closed-loop system, many residents remain unconvinced. The South Whitehall Civic Alliance, led by Greg Sussman, is actively fighting the project, with their goal being "no data center" altogether.
The community opposition is strong, with over 600 people attending a recent meeting, and State Sen. Jarrett Coleman declaring the project "not the right fit." The debate extends to the state level, where Senator James Malone has publicly demanded a vote on data center moratorium legislation, and the Shapiro administration is expected to announce executive actions. The South Whitehall Township Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss Project Atlas on September 23, with the township commissioners expected to make a final decision by October 31.