Data Center Plans Slashed Amid Resident Pushback

An $18 billion data center development, known as Project Gold, has undergone significant revisions following community objections. Originally proposing up to 1,000 backup generators and a potential nuclear reactor, the developer has now scrapped these elements. Water consumption, initially estimated at over 1 million gallons daily, has been reduced to approximately 8,512 gallons per day. This drastic cut accounts for less than the daily water usage of 35 homes.

The project's footprint has also been significantly downsized. The number of data centers has been cut by over 80%, and the overall building square footage reduced by roughly 43%. The developer, Quantm Group LLC, has committed to Governor Josh Shapiro's GRID standards, focusing on greener infrastructure and utilizing battery storage instead of numerous generators. Powering the facility will rely on grid-supplied electricity with enhanced redundancy funded by the developer.

Resident concerns regarding density and environmental impact, particularly around backup generators and water usage, drove these substantial changes. County Commissioner Bill Gaughan highlighted that community advocacy was the catalyst for the developer altering its plans. The revised proposal for Project Gold, located across Covington and Clifton townships in Lackawanna County, now seeks approval with a much smaller scale and reduced environmental demands.