Controversial data center in rural community at center of public hearing
A public hearing was held in Washington County, Pennsylvania, regarding a proposed data center and its associated gas power plant. Residents expressed concerns about noise and quality of life, with lawyers challenging the application's completeness and the Board of Supervisors' jurisdiction. A decision on the conditional use applications is pending from the Board of Supervisors.
A public hearing in Washington County, Pennsylvania, addressed a contentious proposal for a massive data center campus in Hanover Township. The project, located on 126 acres of a former strip mine at the back of an industrial park, includes eight data center buildings and a gas power plant to supply electricity. Prime Data Centers, a Texas-based company, intends to build and operate the campus, with the land currently owned by Alex Paris.
The hearing saw a significant turnout of concerned residents, with standing room only. Lawyers representing these residents raised objections regarding the completeness of the conditional use application and questioned the Board of Supervisors' jurisdiction to hear the application for the gas power plant, arguing it should first go before the Zoning Hearing Board. They specifically cited language in zoning ordinance 1100.13.
Proponents of the project, including land owner Alex Paris, highlight potential economic benefits such as thousands of construction jobs, hundreds of permanent jobs, and over $10 million annually in local revenue. However, residents are pushing back due to concerns over noise pollution and other quality of life issues. The solicitor is currently reviewing arguments from all parties involved. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet on August 31st to decide on the conditional use applications, weighing the applicant's arguments against those of the concerned citizens.