Amazon's First Bucks County Data Center Raises Environmental and Energy Concerns
Amazon is moving forward with its first data center in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, located in Falls Township, despite significant environmental and energy concerns from local residents and activist groups. The facility, approved in 2025, has drawn scrutiny regarding its potential electricity consumption, water usage from the Delaware River, and noise from backup generators. State and local governments are also considering new regulations and moratoriums on data centers in response to these growing concerns.
Amazon is progressing with its first data center in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, situated at the Keystone Trade Center in Falls Township. The project has sparked considerable opposition from local residents and environmental groups, who voiced concerns about electricity demand, water usage from the Delaware River, and noise from its proposed 283 natural gas-fired and three diesel generators during an Amazon-hosted open house and a subsequent PECO informational meeting.
Residents like Diane and Kevin Ball from Falls expressed fears over increased electricity rates and potential environmental impacts on the Delaware River and air quality, citing personal health concerns. Amazon representatives, while addressing some concerns, were perceived by residents as being overly managed and not entirely forthcoming with information.
Despite local opposition, the $1 billion facility, comprising ten buildings totaling 3 million square feet on the former U.S. Steel Fairless Works site, was approved by Falls Township supervisors in 2025. The Pennsylvania DEP has already approved 76 generators and is reviewing an application for 286 more, stipulating emission limits. While Amazon states the facility will be a "minor source" of pollutants and will return cooling water at ambient temperatures, environmental groups like the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and BuxMont DSA remain active in their opposition, advocating for a moratorium and stricter regulations through a petition that garnered over 4,300 signatures.
Concurrently, state and local legislative efforts are underway to address data center development. Pennsylvania's House passed HB 2650, linking data center tax benefits to community engagement and environmental standards, and HB 2496, which would grant municipalities a six-month window to halt data center applications for zoning updates. Locally, Bensalem Township enacted a six-month moratorium on data centers, West Rockhill Township adopted stricter zoning regulations, and Middletown is considering new rules, including noise limits.