Pa. community decries transparency as data center progresses despite moratorium and a lawsuit
A data center project by TECfusions in Upper Burrell Township, PA, faces new hurdles including an enacted moratorium, a proposed zoning ordinance, and a lawsuit challenging its progress. Residents are actively opposing the development, demanding greater transparency from the township board. Despite the moratorium, a land development plan for one of the data center buildings was approved.
A hyperscale data center project by TECfusions in Upper Burrell Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, is facing significant public opposition, legal challenges, and new regulations. The project, known as TECfusions Keystone Connect, is planned for the former Alcoa Technical Center site and could generate up to 3 gigawatts of power.
Despite a 180-day moratorium on new data center development enacted by the township in May, TECfusions received approval on August 5 for a land development plan related to electrical and mechanical upgrades for Building J, which is already partly operational. Residents, including David Ostrosky and Guy Fuller, expressed strong opposition at a recent township meeting, criticizing the board for a lack of transparency and questioning the legality of project approvals during the moratorium.
A land use appeal challenging the township's approval process has been filed by environmental advocacy group Protect PT, along with residents Guy Fuller and Allen Uhler, in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas. The plaintiffs argue TECfusions should have been required to undergo a formal zoning hearing and obtain a special exception before proceeding. Meanwhile, the township's planning commission is developing a new zoning ordinance for data centers, which now includes a controversial requirement for developers to provide their own baseload power generation. The planning commission is set to review the latest draft ordinance on September 15, with the moratorium expiring on November 2.