Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves Markley Group data center backup generators with communication, carbon plan condition
Summary
After public complaints about noise, odor and sustainability conflicts, the Lowell City Council approved the Markley Group’s plan to add diesel backup generators to a data center, conditioning approval on regular communication with the sustainability department and a plan to reduce the facility’s carbon footprint.
The Lowell City Council voted to allow the Markley Group to add an array of diesel backup generators to a data center site, attaching conditions that the company maintain regular communication with the city’s sustainability department and develop a plan to reduce the facility’s carbon footprint.
The decision followed a public hearing in which abutters complained about existing noise and odors, criticized the company’s transparency, and said the proposal conflicts with Lowell City’s sustainability plan. Markley Group representatives said other sites in Lowell have similar layouts and that they comply with state guidelines.
During the hearing, multiple abutters described noise and odor problems they attribute to the site and raised concerns about communication from the company. A Markley Group representative responded that comparable facilities in Lowell operate under existing state guidelines. The council recorded a vote in favor of the project with the stated condition requiring ongoing communication with the sustainability department and a carbon-reduction plan. The transcript does not list individual council votes or the motion’s mover and seconder.
