Hostile crowd greets South Whitehall data center developer
Residents in South Whitehall, Pennsylvania, voiced strong opposition to Edged US's proposed data center project during a planning commission meeting. Concerns focused on environmental impact, health, and electricity, despite the developer's assurances of economic benefits. The commission made no decision and scheduled a second meeting.
Residents of South Whitehall, Pennsylvania, expressed vehement opposition to a large data center project proposed by Atlanta-based Edged US during a recent planning commission meeting. The project, named "Project Atlas," plans for 1.56 million square feet of data center and ancillary buildings across from Parkland High School.
Despite a presentation by Edged US representatives detailing minimal negative impacts, significant tax revenue, and community improvements such as donated parkland and historic barn restoration, attendees were not swayed. Residents, including members of the nonprofit South Whitehall Civic Alliance, raised concerns about health, environmental stability (citing sinkholes), increased noise, and potential strain on electricity resources. An environmental engineer likened data centers to fracking, while a high school student displayed a sign questioning AI data centers.
Civic Alliance attorney Jason Ulrich requested the developer agree to a public hearing for independent expert analysis of their data, a request met with boos from the crowd when not immediately addressed. The land in question is zoned for tech development under South Whitehall's Planned Innovation, Research and Technology overlay.
No decision was reached on Project Atlas at the meeting, with officials announcing a second planning commission meeting to be held at a later date.