UPDATE: Conshohocken-area residents are mobilizing against a controversial proposal for a massive 2 million-square-foot data center, just one mile from the borough’s bustling downtown. This urgent situation is unfolding as the local zoning board prepares to discuss the proposal on November 17, 2023.
Real estate developer Brian O’Neill envisions a facility that would cover 66 acres at the former Cleveland-Cliffs steel mill, projecting it could generate $21 million annually in tax revenue. However, local residents are voicing serious concerns about the environmental impact and potential increase in energy costs.
The planning board of Plymouth Township recently rejected the proposal, prompting residents to rally support through a petition that has already garnered over 370 signatures. “We wanted to raise awareness and ensure residents can advocate for themselves,” said Patti Smith, a local resident and petition organizer.
Residents fear the data center could exacerbate existing energy strains, as they have already faced rising electricity bills. The PJM Interconnection, which manages the power grid in the Philadelphia area, has indicated that increasing numbers of data centers are contributing to these pressures. A recent auction forecasted energy rates could increase by 1.5% to 5%.
Moreover, the proposed facility is expected to rely on significant water resources, with projections suggesting hyperscale data centers could consume up to 124 billion liters of water by 2028. Environmental advocates argue the potential benefits of job creation and tax revenue do not outweigh the risks associated with such high energy and water consumption.
O’Neill claims the data center would generate its own energy using natural gas and aims to minimize its environmental impact. However, critics like Tom Schuster, president of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club, warn that reliance on natural gas could lead to greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.
Local residents are not just concerned about the environment; they are anxious about their health. Genevieve Boland, another petition organizer, expressed fears that pollutants from the proposed facility could increase local health risks, including asthma and cancer. “The direct impact on our air is my biggest concern,” she stated.
As the community prepares for the upcoming zoning board meeting, Smith and Boland are urging their neighbors to stay informed and engaged. “Our immediate next steps are to drum up as much attention as we can in the community,” Smith said, emphasizing the importance of local voices in this critical discussion.
With the deadline approaching and the community mobilizing, the outcome of this proposal could have lasting implications for Conshohocken residents. The fight against the data center highlights the ongoing tension between development and environmental sustainability in rapidly changing urban landscapes.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as residents prepare to advocate for their community’s future.
