Limerick Township residents protest proposed data center amid conditional use hearing

Residents of Limerick Township, Pennsylvania, are escalating their opposition to the proposed "Project Laurel Data Center" by developer MDC 7, LLC. Protesters gathered outside the administration building during a conditional use hearing for the project, which is planned to span 3 million square feet, stand 85 feet tall, and consume 750 megawatts of electricity and at least 750,000 gallons of water daily. Meagan Smolsky, a resident living two miles from the site, expressed concerns about the project's rapid progression and potential impacts on electricity bills and well water, questions she was denied the opportunity to ask after being denied party status in the hearing. Another resident, Tim Thornton, echoed worries about noise and water pollution, citing issues data centers have caused in other communities. The township manager, Daniel Kerr, revealed that previous meetings were moved to a smaller venue due to online threats, though an opposition group, "Prevent Limerick Data Center Development," denies any involvement. Kerr indicated that the conditional use hearing process is extensive, with monthly hearings scheduled through August. If approved, the project would still require further land use hearings and environmental approval from the Pennsylvania DEP, a process estimated to take another year before construction could begin. Residents like Smolsky hope the outcome will be a recognition that such a large data center is unsuitable for their community, with the next hearing scheduled for June 16th.