Second power plant hearing in Archbald yields many questions, fewer answers
A conditional use hearing for a 400-megawatt natural gas power plant in Archbald, Pennsylvania, faced intense scrutiny, with residents' attorney arguing the applicant, Essential Energy LLC, lacked standing as it didn't exist when the zoning application was filed. The hearing also highlighted significant community concerns about the power plant's environmental impact, traffic, and cumulative effects, especially given its proximity to multiple proposed data center projects. The borough council did not make a decision, with the hearing set to resume later.
A conditional use hearing for a 400-megawatt natural gas power plant proposed by Essential Energy LLC in Archbald, Pennsylvania, concluded with significant questions and no immediate answers, as residents voiced strong opposition. Attorney Justin Richards, representing borough residents, contended that Essential Energy LLC lacked the legal standing to pursue the conditional use application, arguing the company did not exist on March 12, 2026, when the zoning permit application was submitted to the borough, having only filed with the state the following day. Borough Solicitor Jay O'Connor stated the council would consider Richards' position but would not issue a decision at the Thursday night hearing.
The proposed power plant, located on Eynon Jermyn Road, is intended to serve adjacent data center developments, including the nearly 620,000-square-foot Project Boson and the 18-data-center Project Scott campus, both linked to Kriger Construction Inc. and its executive leadership. The hearing, which drew about 100 residents to the Valley View High School auditorium, focused on the power plant's potential traffic and air quality impacts. Essential Energy's experts, including traffic engineer Ian Preston of KCI Technologies and air quality expert Nicole Wilson of Earthres, faced tough questions regarding construction traffic, cumulative impacts from 30 proposed data centers, site-specific emissions modeling, noise, and health risks, often pointing to a lack of detailed information about the specific equipment to be used.
Council members and objectors, including Tamara Misewicz-Healey, co-founder of the Stop Archbald Data Centers movement, expressed frustration over the late submission of reports and the experts' inability to provide comprehensive answers on critical issues like construction-phase traffic and the impact of 28 billion pounds of potential annual greenhouse gas emissions. The power plant, which would use ammonia in its emissions controls, raised concerns among residents about the proximity to homes, nursing homes, and schools. The third hearing for Essential Energy LLC is scheduled to resume on June 22.