Reorganized Archbald Council to weigh ‘Project Green’ data centers tonight

The Archbald Borough Council, following a significant reorganization that saw the removal of its president, vice president, and president pro tempore, is scheduled to hold a conditional use hearing tonight for 'Project Green'. This proposed development would introduce seven data centers to the borough, located east of the Casey Highway at the Stavola Quarry. The council leadership changes, which involved Councilman Louis Rapoch becoming the new president, Councilman Joe Altier III as vice president, and Councilwoman Erin Owen as president pro tempore, occurred during a packed meeting. These changes are linked to ongoing discussions and community pushback regarding data center developments in Archbald, particularly following the adoption of a zoning ordinance in November. Green Mountain 6 LLC submitted the conditional use application in January for the 270.88-acre campus, which would include seven two-story, 138,000-square-foot buildings, back-up generator yards, a PPL-owned switchyard, and a customer substation. The project would utilize a 230-kilovolt PPL transmission line. While a will-serve letter from Pennsylvania American Water confirms a request for up to 14,000 gallons per day, this is specified for domestic use, with cooling water needs yet to be determined. A preliminary sound study accompanying the application estimates 40 air-cooled chillers per data center with a sound output of 101 decibels, though it concludes the project can comply with Archbald's noise limits of 45 decibels at nearby residences with potential additional mitigation. The borough's November zoning ordinance allows data centers as conditional uses under stricter standards, requiring developers like Project Green to undergo public hearings and adhere to specific conditions.