Judge blocks installation of additional diesel generators at Lowell data center
A judge has temporarily blocked the Markley Group from installing four additional diesel generators at its data center in Lowell, Massachusetts. The ruling stems from a legal challenge by neighbors concerned about air quality and noise pollution, who the judge found may have been denied a meaningful opportunity to challenge the project's state permitting process. The decision does not stop the data center expansion completely, as Markley can continue operating existing generators while the broader lawsuit proceeds.
A legal dispute concerning a data center in Lowell, Massachusetts, has seen a recent development as a judge issued a temporary injunction against the Markley Group.
The ruling prevents Markley Group from installing four additional diesel generators at its data center, located at the site of the former Prince Spaghetti factory. Neighbors have expressed significant concerns regarding air quality and noise pollution emanating from the existing generators, leading to their opposition to the expansion plans.
The judge's decision indicated that Lowell residents might not have been afforded a proper chance to challenge the project during the state permitting process. However, the ruling does not revoke Markley's original air permit, which was approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (Mass DEP), nor does it entirely halt the data center's expansion. Markley Group is permitted to continue operating the four generators already in place as the overarching lawsuit progresses. Markley Group maintains that the order is preliminary and they anticipate a favorable ruling once the full legal record is presented.