Lackawanna County School District to Measure Noise Before Data Center Arrival
The Mid Valley School District in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, is commissioning a baseline environmental sound study of its school complex in Throop. This proactive measure aims to document existing noise levels before nearby data centers are built, addressing community concerns about potential sound pollution from cooling systems and generators. The study will provide a reference point for future evaluations and inform the district's participation in land use and zoning proceedings.
The Mid Valley School District, encompassing Throop, Olyphant, and Dickson City in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, has initiated a "Baseline Environmental Sound/Noise Level Study" of its school complex in Throop. This effort is a direct response to the increasing number of data center and power plant proposals in the region, which have raised concerns about potential noise pollution from cooling equipment and backup generators.
District Superintendent Patrick Sheehan stated that the school board began discussing the study months ago due to messages from parents and community members, and high attendance at local borough council meetings concerning data centers. The goal is to establish a verifiable baseline of current sound levels at the K-12 campus, which serves approximately 2,000 students and 200 staff members, before any new data centers become operational. This baseline will be used to assess future noise impacts, guide the district's involvement in land use and zoning decisions, and support potential mitigation efforts.
The school board approved issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) in August, with submissions due by October 5. Eva Rappenglueck, a co-organizer of the grassroots group Stop Olyphant Data Centers, expressed gratitude for the district's proactive step, highlighting the ongoing community opposition and the desire for more local government entities to conduct similar studies.