Fifth hearing on Essential Energy power plant in Archbald resumes Tuesday
Archbald Borough Council is holding its fifth hearing on a controversial natural gas power plant proposed by Essential Energy LLC, a company linked to Kriger Construction Inc. Residents and the 'Stop Archbald Data Centers' group are opposing the project due to its proximity to sensitive areas and lack of specific details from the developer. The power plant is intended to serve numerous data center projects, including 51 individual data centers proposed for Archbald, a community with the highest concentration of data center proposals in Lackawanna County.
The Archbald Borough Council is set to resume its fifth public hearing on Tuesday regarding a controversial 400-megawatt natural gas power plant proposed by Essential Energy LLC for Eynon Jermyn Road. The company, linked to Kriger Construction Inc. and its president Jim Marzolino, is seeking conditional use approval for the facility.
The power plant is a central point of contention, especially given Archbald's significant data center development, with 51 proposed data centers including the 620,000-square-foot Project Boson by another Kriger-linked firm. Opposition, led by attorney Justin Richards of Elliott Greenleaf PC on behalf of 'Stop Archbald Data Centers' members, cites the plant's proximity to Staback Park, a housing development, and Valley View Intermediate School, arguing it violates zoning language intended to protect residents' health and safety. Opponents and council members have pressed for more detailed information on equipment, emissions, and environmental impacts.
Developer representatives, including engineer Nicole Wilson from Earthres and engineer James D. Barnes from Acentech, have testified that specific details will follow later in the state and federal permitting process, after conditional approval. However, the lack of firm details on aspects like power generation capacity, specific equipment, and water consumption from KCI Technologies Vice President W. Casey Deller has drawn scrutiny. The hearing will continue with cross-examination of Deller by Archbald's special counsel, Brett C. Flower, and resident Meg Nudelman.