Could abandoned mines house Pa.’s unwanted data centers? -
Researchers in Pennsylvania are exploring the concept of using abandoned coal mines for data center development to address land use concerns, environmental impacts, and local opposition. This approach could leverage underground mine pools for cooling and existing infrastructure, with examples like Iron Mountain's existing facility in Boyers and proposed projects in Greene and Washington Counties. However, significant challenges, including environmental remediation, power grid capacity, and fierce local resistance in communities like Archbald, remain.
Pennsylvania researchers are investigating the potential of converting the state's numerous abandoned coal mine lands into sites for data centers. This initiative aims to address mounting local opposition to data center construction, which often cites concerns over noise, pollution, and high energy and water consumption, while also repurposing polluted former industrial sites.
The concept, explored by Penn State researchers and federal agencies, suggests that underground mine pools could provide natural cooling, reducing reliance on external water sources, and existing infrastructure could be repurposed. Iron Mountain's West Pennsylvania data center in Boyers already utilizes an underground lake for cooling, demonstrating a successful proof of concept. Further proposals include data centers at former mines in Greene and Washington Counties; one project by CNX Resources in Washington County plans to utilize natural gas reserves and remediated mine gas.
Despite the perceived advantages, significant hurdles remain. Chris Pennington, Iron Mountain's senior director of energy and sustainability, acknowledged the complexity and expense of underground construction. Matt Prusak, chief business officer at Giga Energy, highlighted that power grid capacity, not just land or cooling, remains a critical bottleneck. Furthermore, fierce local opposition persists, exemplified by the proposed 500-acre Wildcat Ridge Data Center campus in Archbald, Luzerne County, where residents and officials like County Commissioner Bill Gaughan expressed concerns about creating new "sacrifice zones."
Environmental remediation and long-term ecological impacts are also central issues. Bobby Hughes, founder of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, stressed the need for thorough mapping of mine pools and cautioned about potential chemical reactions and increased metal loads if cooling systems are not managed carefully. While data center development could contribute to economic revitalization and assist with reclamation costs, communities continue to fortify zoning ordinances to prevent such developments, as evidenced by