East Whiteland officials allow work to resume on data center planned for Superfund site
East Whiteland Township officials have allowed work to resume on a 1.5 million-square-foot data center on a former Superfund site, after a temporary halt for review of soil and health safety plans. The permit includes strict conditions for soil monitoring and dust control. However, the project's revised scope, particularly regarding water usage, remains an open question, with a decision tabled until an August meeting amid continued community opposition.
East Whiteland, Pennsylvania officials have permitted developers Green Fig LLC and Sentinel Data Centers to resume initial construction on a 1.5 million-square-foot data center. The decision comes after the township temporarily halted work earlier this month to review soil and health safety plans for the site, a former Superfund location previously contaminated with chemicals such as lithium, arsenic, and hexavalent chromium. The newly issued permit, which allows for "earth-moving activities," includes numerous conditions related to soil monitoring, dust control, and protecting the Superfund site's existing environmental remedy. East Whiteland Township Manager Steve Brown confirmed that while dirt can now be moved, further construction permits, such as for foundations, are still required.
The project has faced significant community opposition due to its location on a contaminated site and concerns over its potential environmental impact, particularly water usage. Lou Colagreco, an attorney for the developers, stated that Sentinel is proceeding with development despite ongoing discussions about the project's scope. The developers recently proposed design changes to the township, aiming to reduce the data center's footprint from two 772,000 square-foot buildings to a total of 536,000 square feet and to use less water by potentially shifting to air-chilled coolers.
However, the East Whiteland Township Board of Supervisors tabled this revised proposal at their July 8 meeting, citing a need for more information. The board's next meeting is scheduled for August 19, where the primary issue for consideration will be the cooling method employed. Community members continue to express scrutiny over the development's impacts.