Middlesex Township supervisors postpone data center vote due to resident concerns
A Middlesex Township meeting to vote on land development for the Pax One data center was abruptly adjourned due to overwhelming resident opposition. Concerns include unknown operators, daily blasting, dust, and wildlife displacement. The meeting has been rescheduled for August 19th.
A Middlesex Township meeting in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, scheduled for August 3rd, was unexpectedly shut down and rescheduled due to a large turnout of over one hundred residents opposing the proposed Pax One data center project. Township supervisors had intended to vote on land development proposals for the facility, which is described as one of the biggest planned in Pennsylvania.
Residents raised concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the data center's operator, only knowing it's a "big tech company that needs no introduction." They also reported ongoing issues with daily blasting sounds, widespread dust, and the disturbance of local wildlife. Despite this significant public opposition and an existing legal challenge from residents, township supervisors reportedly indicated that the project would proceed regardless.
Adding another layer of complexity, Governor Shapiro recently introduced new statewide guardrails for data centers concerning energy use and transparency. However, a report by Charlie Thompson revealed that these new regulations will not apply to the Pax One project or eight other large data center developments in Pennsylvania because these projects had already advanced through "significant stages" before the guardrails were implemented, according to the Governor's office.
The Middlesex Township meeting has been rescheduled for August 19th, with supervisors acknowledging they might need a larger venue given the previous turnout.