Archbald Borough Council Rejects Wildcat Ridge Data Center Campus
Archbald Borough Council unanimously rejected Cornell Realty Management’s application to build the Wildcat Ridge Data Center Campus, a proposed 14-building project in the borough. The project faced organized local opposition over its expected water use, electricity demand, diesel generators and potential environmental impacts, and the developer is expected to appeal.
Archbald Borough Council unanimously denied Cornell Realty Management’s application for the Wildcat Ridge Data Center Campus, which would have included 14 large data centers above Archbald’s Eynon and Sturges sections. The proposal was projected to consume more than 3.3 million gallons of water daily during summer and require 1.6 gigawatts of electricity, along with 588 backup diesel generators and substantial onsite fuel storage.
The decision followed a nine-part conditional-use hearing and sustained opposition from Stop Archbald Data Centers, its attorney Justin Richards, co-founder Tamara Misewicz-Healey and local residents. The opinion argues that Cornell failed to meet the requirements for approval and says the developer is likely to appeal the borough’s formal denial.