The AI boom has plunged a small Pennsylvania town into chaos -

The town of Archbald, Pennsylvania, is experiencing widespread public outcry and concern over the development of six new data center campuses, which are projected to occupy 14 percent of the town's land. Residents packed a Valley View High School auditorium to express fears about potential health risks, environmental degradation, noise, and increased electricity costs, with one project alone expected to consume more power than the region's largest plant produces. Nick Farris of Provident Real Estate Advisors, representing a developer for Project Scott, defended the projects, citing tax revenue benefits, but faced jeers from the audience. Local opposition, organized through the "Stop Archbald Data Centers" Facebook group with over 5,000 members, argues that the current zoning laws are insufficient. Although an updated zoning ordinance passed last November, it still permits facilities near residential areas, including the Highlands condo complex and Valley View Estates, a trailer park whose residents face eviction by April 15. Archbald Borough Manager Dan Markey explained that Pennsylvania law requires municipalities to zone for all industries, even undesirable ones. The developments are attributed to the Susquehanna-Roseland powerline, cheap land, and previously lax zoning, with local businessmen like Jim Marzolino (Kriger Construction) and Alpesh "Al" Patel involved in land transactions and partnerships for projects like Project Gravity and Project Boson. Residents also voiced anger at PPL Electric Utilities' recent rate hike, noting that data centers would receive a rate cut. Brigitte Meyer, an attorney at PennFuture, warned that communities often become activated too late in the development process to effectively influence outcomes.