Township facing data center proposal shaken by transparency, conflict questions
Clinton Township in Pennsylvania is facing a controversial proposal for 20 data center buildings and two power plants, sparking widespread opposition and concerns over transparency. A lawsuit has been filed against the township, accusing supervisors of violating the state's Sunshine Law amid questions surrounding the new solicitor's ties to the data center company. State legislators are also discussing data center regulations and a potential moratorium.
A significant dispute has erupted in Clinton Township, Pennsylvania, over a proposal by Linde Corp. to construct a 682-acre campus featuring 20 data center buildings and two on-site power plants. The project has met with widespread community opposition, fueled by concerns over transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
Central to the controversy is the township's recent hiring of an interim solicitor, Ronald M. Bugaj, whose law firm previously represented Linde Corp. in unrelated matters. Bugaj also has a personal friendship with the data center company's president, ties openly acknowledged in a "Joint Waiver of Conflict of Interest and Informed Consent" document. While Bugaj asserts full disclosure and fair conduct, residents, including Thane Rickard and Raelyn Garriga from the grassroots group "Save Browndale Mountain," express dismay, citing worries about noise, pollution, and drinking water quality.
Further escalating the situation, former township supervisor Jim Zefran filed a lawsuit in Wayne County Court, accusing the township and its supervisors of violating the state's Sunshine Law by terminating the previous solicitor outside of a public meeting. The article highlights similar flashpoints across Pennsylvania, where data center proposals often lead to large public meetings, lawsuits, and accusations of a lack of transparency. State lawmakers are divided, with Rep. Jamie Walsh proposing transparency bills and Sen. Katie Muth advocating for a three-year moratorium on hyperscale data centers. Other legislators, like Sen. Jarrett Coleman and Sen. Lisa Baker, emphasize the need for transparency and local control, while Rep. Jonathan Fritz supports a pause on new data center developments.