Organizers say Springdale data center “not a done deal.” Allegheny County has the final say.
The proposed Springdale Dynamo data center still needs Allegheny County approval of its land development plan, despite Springdale Borough Council approving a conditional use permit. Local opponents are organizing against the project, citing its potential power demand, noise, pollution, property-value impacts and higher utility bills, with public hearings scheduled in October.
The planned Springdale Dynamo data center, backed financially by New York-based hedge fund Davidson Kempner, could consume up to 240 megawatts of electricity—roughly the demand of 200,000 homes. Although Springdale Borough Council approved a conditional use permit in December, Allegheny County must still approve the facility's land development plan before construction can proceed.
County staff identified 97 issues in the project's preliminary application, including unanswered questions about noise mitigation. Marty Garrigan and the Save Allegheny Valley Environment group are urging residents to attend upcoming county hearings and submit comments, while raising funds for potential legal challenges if the county approves the plan.