Neighbors say PAX-1 data center blasting rattles homes in Middlesex Township

Residents in Middlesex Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, are experiencing significant disruption from the ongoing construction of the PAX-1 data center. Neighbors like Viola Byerly and Hilda Vazquez-Rosa report that blasting and drilling activities are causing their homes to shake, with some noticing new cracks in their mobile homes. Byerly described the noise as constant, while Vazquez-Rosa compared the blasts to a 3.5 magnitude earthquake. PAX-1, also known as Pennsylvania Digital 1, is being developed by PA Data Center Partners and has a five-year construction timeline. Contractors have not specified how long the blasting will continue, though Byerly's documents suggest it will last three months. Middlesex Township acknowledged resident concerns on its website, linking to a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection fact sheet stating that blasts below legal limits can still cause homes to shake without damage. PA Data Center Partners stated they were not aware of specific issues like wall cracks and advised residents to contact the township manager for resolutions. Residents view their experience as a warning for other Pennsylvanians to become actively involved in local township decisions regarding such developments.