Clinton Township Officials, Residents Oppose Proposed Data Center
Clinton Township residents and supervisors are strongly opposing a proposed data center by Linde Corporation in Wayne County, Pennsylvania. The township has enacted a six-month moratorium on data center applications and is actively pursuing new regulations and hiring specialized legal and environmental experts. The community is uniting to fight the project's potential environmental and infrastructure impacts.
The Clinton Township Board of Supervisors and approximately 150 residents are united in their opposition to a proposed data storage center by Linde Corporation in western Clinton Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. During a May 13 meeting, discussions focused on a draft amendment to the subdivision and land development ordinance aimed at regulating data centers.
On April 30, the supervisors enacted a six-month moratorium on accepting data center applications to allow time for review by township and county planning commissions. Supervisor Brian Non recommended hiring specialized legal counsel and a conservation biologist to protect the township from potential environmental and population impacts. Solicitor Jeffrey Treat supported this, and the supervisors scheduled a special meeting for May 29 to pursue engaging these experts. Residents pledged $1,000 each to aid in covering the expenses.
The proposed project, which would include an associated power plant on Linde's 743-acre property, is the first data center planned for Wayne County. Details regarding its size and operating company remain unknown. The Clinton Township Planning Commission postponed Linde's presentation until June 4 due to the developer's failure to submit plans within the required timeframe. Public sentiment is entirely against the project, with no one speaking in favor at recent meetings. Residents recommended documenting current environmental conditions and testing wells to establish baselines.