The controversial East Whiteland data center project has been issued its second stop work order
East Whiteland Township officials have issued a second stop work order for a 1.5 million-square-foot data center project due to insufficient documentation regarding its water supply. This controversial project, located on a Superfund site, has faced significant resident opposition over environmental concerns and water usage. Developers Green Fig LLC and Sentinel Data Centers are attempting to alter the project's design to use air chillers instead of water cooling, but the township has tabled a decision on these proposed changes.
The East Whiteland Township has issued a second stop work order to developers Green Fig LLC and Sentinel Data Centers for their 1.5 million-square-foot data center project. The latest order, issued Wednesday, cites a lack of "clear documentation" regarding the project's water supply, specifically demanding confirmation from water utility Aqua that sufficient water is committed.
This follows a previous stop work order in July related to soil and health and safety plans at the project's location, a former Foote Mineral Co. Superfund site, amid resident concerns about remediation. Residents recently surfaced a 2024 letter from Aqua stating the utility lacks capacity to meet the project's peak demand and recommending an on-site storage tank.
Community members have actively protested the project, pressing the township to halt construction and revoke permits, even shutting down an August 19 board of supervisors meeting. Developers have attempted to modify the original 2024 approved plan, proposing to shift from water-intensive cooling to air chillers and even downsizing the complex. However, the township has tabled decisions on these proposed changes, leading the developers to recant their offer to resize the data center due to delays. The board of supervisors is set to meet again on September 9.