PAX-1 data center debate continues tonight
The Middle Sex Township board is holding another meeting to consider the proposed PAX-1 data center project in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, after previous meetings were postponed. The agenda includes final and preliminary land development plans and community benefit agreements, amid ongoing public opposition over environmental concerns, noise, water, and power use. Residents are also demanding transparency regarding the data center's future clients.
The Middle Sex Township Board in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, is set to continue its deliberation on the controversial PAX-1 data center project during a meeting at Cumberland Valley High School. This follows two previously interrupted meetings concerning the proposed 700-acre campus, which is planned to house 16 hyperscale data centers. The project has garnered significant attention and opposition from residents across the region.
The agenda for the current meeting includes considering final land development for Phase 1B and preliminary land development for Phase 3. Additionally, the board will review several agreements between the township and the developer, including a community benefits agreement offering $14 million for land preservation, public safety, parks and recreation, and taxpayer relief. Another agreement addresses well testing around blasting areas with remediation provisions and two years of noise monitoring post-construction.
Opponents of the PAX-1 project continue to voice concerns, arguing that the proposed mitigation measures are insufficient. Their objections primarily revolve around potential impacts on water resources, air quality, noise levels, and power consumption. Residents also demand greater transparency regarding the identities of the companies or clients that would utilize the 16 hyperscale data centers, as this information has not yet been disclosed by the developer. The board may vote on some or all items on the agenda, but no final action is guaranteed.