Advocates call for county intervention as developer touts improvements to Springdale data center
Residents and activists in Springdale Borough, Allegheny County, continue to oppose a planned data center by Allegheny DC, despite developers hosting an 'open house' to address concerns. Opponents are urging Allegheny County regulatory bodies to intervene, citing worries about noise, air pollution, health impacts, and rising utility costs. Developers maintain they are making investments to mitigate sound and comply with environmental standards.
Residents of Springdale Borough and regional activists are urging Allegheny County to intervene and halt the development of a data center by Allegheny DC, despite the developer's efforts to reassure the community.
At a recent 'open house' event, Allegheny DC consultants, including Brian Regli, presented acoustic barriers and other improvements aimed at reducing noise. However, critics, organized by groups like the Breathe Project, protested outside, raising concerns about air pollution, noise, health impacts, and potential spikes in utility costs, given the center's reliance on the grid and diesel generators for backup power. An open letter sent to the county by critics demands that developers obtain an air quality permit before further land development and ensure public process protocols are followed for Environmental Justice areas. Allegheny County Executive Sara Inamorato's office declined to comment.
BABICHacoustics, a firm working with the developers, outlined plans to optimize acoustic barriers and generator placement to reduce noise to "not-annoying levels" during normal operations. Amanda Black, an environmental consultant with CEC, stated that studies and modeling are underway to ensure the project remains below EPA air pollution thresholds for its diesel generators. Regli affirmed the company's commitment to compliance, but activists like Marty Garrigan remain unconvinced, calling the developers' efforts "putting lipstick on a monster."