Staback Park 5K to support Stop Archbald Data Centers’ legal fund
A 5K fundraiser is being organized to support the "Stop Archbald Data Centers" legal fund, which is fighting against numerous proposed data centers and a power plant near Staback Park in Archbald, Pennsylvania. The grassroots group is engaged in legal battles, challenging zoning ordinances and specific project approvals, and has secured legal standing in court to oppose development. Residents express deep concern over the proximity of these industrial projects to recreational areas and residential developments.
Maura Staback is organizing a 5K fundraiser to bolster the legal fund of "Stop Archbald Data Centers," a grassroots group opposing extensive data center and power plant development near the Representative Ed Staback Regional Park in Archbald, Pennsylvania. The proposed projects, including 51 data centers across six initial proposals and a planned 400-megawatt power plant by Essential Energy LLC and Kriger Construction Inc., threaten to industrialize the park's scenic landscape, a space championed by Staback's late father-in-law, former state Rep. Ed Staback. Residents, including Staback, express deep concern over the proximity of these developments to homes, schools, and the park, citing potential environmental and public health impacts.
The "Stop Archbald Data Centers" group, co-founded by Tamara Misewicz-Healey and Justin Healey, has amassed nearly 14,000 Facebook members and raised over $57,300 through a GoFundMe campaign. They are actively engaged in legal battles, utilizing their funds to retain attorney Justin Richards of Elliott Greenleaf PC and hire experts, such as an environmental health scientist who projected significant health damages from one proposed project's diesel generators. The group has successfully gained legal standing in public hearings and secured favorable rulings from a Lackawanna County judge, allowing them to proceed with challenging the denial of Project Scott's application by Provident Realty Advisors operating as Archbald I LLC, and to contest the validity of Archbald's existing data center zoning ordinance.
Despite potential denials by Archbald, Misewicz-Healey anticipates developers will appeal, prolonging the legal struggle for years. She emphasized the critical need for continued community funding to sustain their legal representation and advocacy efforts, as their grassroots organization operates without larger nonprofit or external financial support. The outcome of Archbald's battle is being closely watched across the state, with the community determined to fight for responsible development.