Massive data center project in Cumberland County bringing noise, concerns to nearby residents

A massive 700-acre data center campus, led by PowerHouse Data Centers, is currently under construction in Middlesex Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The $15 billion project, which will include up to 18 buildings and roughly 5 million square feet of space, has transformed quiet farmland into an active industrial site. Residents like Eugene Albert, who moved next to the site before its approval, report constant noise, blasting operations, and concerns over potential long-term impacts, particularly on well water. Contractors have installed monitoring equipment on Albert's property and inspected his home for pre-existing structural issues before blasting began. Residents feel they have little power to halt or significantly alter the project, which is expected to continue construction for up to six years. In response to rapid data center growth across the state, State Representative Joe Webster (D-Montgomery) has sponsored HB 2246, a bill that would mandate developers disclose water usage before construction. This bill passed the Pennsylvania House by a 116-84 vote, alongside other legislation aimed at establishing broader regulatory frameworks, including operational disclosure and energy/water usage reporting, as well as providing model ordinances for local communities. However, Rep. Webster noted that these state-level efforts will not impact the Middlesex Township project, which received a zoning change approval last year, clearing its path forward.