COVINGTON TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — A major development proposal is stirring controversy in parts of Lackawanna County. A data center project spanning hundreds of acres could bring industrial towers and massive water demands to Covington and Clifton Townships.
“I worry about the kind of world I’m leaving my grandchildren. When you’re destroying these beautiful areas all over the country if you look on a map and see where data centers are located, it’s kind of frightening," said June Ejk, former Clifton Township supervisor.
In Covington and Clifton Township forested land and wildlife could soon give way to dozens of towering industrial buildings. Developer NE Edge is proposing a sprawling data center complex, with 35 buildings over 1,000 acres, that would house massive computer servers, supported by artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
The project would require changes to local zoning to allow buildings up to 120 feet tall, along with water towers and other structures reaching as high as 200 feet.
And it’s not just the skyline neighbors are worried about.
“The most harmful is the effect on the water table and the amount of water they're projecting to use. I know communities around here that have four wells for 3,000 homes. Now you’re talking about 35 buildings, 35 wells," said Richard Troscianecki, North Pocono CARE President.
Environmental advocates with North Pocono CARE are also warning about habitat destruction, light pollution, and chemical runoff harming the Lehigh River watershed.
“A good part of rural Pennsylvania is just places where people want to live out in the woods and be with animals and their nature. Suddenly we’re thrust into a new age and we’re not well equipped to do that. There's too much at risk," said Troscianecki.
The first major hurdle comes July 24, when Covington Township supervisors will vote on the proposed zoning amendment. A similar hearing in Clifton Township follows on July 29.
Despite the growing community pushback, FOX56 reached out to both Covington and Clifton Township officials and NE Edge for comment but have not yet received a response.
“We're all on wells and it can drain the water aquifers. There’s only so much groundwater. If you’re pulling it up for these 34 new buildings, what are the residents going to do when their wells go dry?” said Ejk.
The first public hearing on the Covington Township zoning change is scheduled for July 24.