Lowell council approves addition of diesel storage for Markley data center after contentious public hearing

The Lowell City Council approved a council motion to amend the Markley Group’s fuel storage permit on Tuesday after an extended public hearing that drew both neighborhood opposition and institutional supporters.

The amendment would authorize four additional above‑ground diesel tanks of 6,000 gallons each (24,000 gallons total) at Markley’s data center site (the former Prince Macaroni site on Prince/Market area), increasing the site’s existing permitted diesel storage. Attorney William Martin, representing the Markley Group, told the council the fuel is for emergency backup generators and said the additional tanks would allow the facility to operate on backup power for about 24 hours in a prolonged outage.

Why it matters: Markley hosts critical data operations used by local institutions, including letters of support from UMass Lowell and Lowell General Hospital cited at the meeting, and the company employs more than 100 people on site with dozens of Lowell residents among them. Opponents argued that adding diesel storage in a dense, environmental‑justice neighborhood would increase air pollution, noise and health risks for nearby residents and urged the council to require stronger mitigation or deny the permit.

What was said: Attorney William Martin said the company had already secured state environmental and air permits and fire department sign‑off and that the additional tanks are part of a phased permitting sequence. Martin told the council, “The backup generators would permit Markley to operate for about 24 hours in the event of a power failure.” Supporters included Mary Burns of the UMass Building Authority and multiple union representatives and employees who spoke about local jobs and internships; they said Markley’s presence supports the university’s LINC project and local employment.

Neighbors and climate advocates pressed for alternatives: Several South Lowell residents and public‑interest speakers described frequent noise, diesel odors and related quality‑of‑life impacts. Mary Wamboy, a resident speaking in opposition, said, “The proposal from Markley must be rejected outright,” and urged the council to require greater commitments to clean energy. Representatives of 350 Greater Lowell and local abutters urged the city to make any approval conditional on near‑term measures to reduce emissions and increase on‑site renewable power.

Council debate and conditions: During committee site visits and an environmental subcommittee review, councilors and Markley representatives agreed to additional mitigation commitments, including further noise attenuation, removal of temporary chillers and follow‑up with the city sustainability director. The council considered and rejected a motion to table the item in order to negotiate more conditions. Several councilors asked that Markley produce a clear plan and timeline for noise and air mitigation and to work with the city’s sustainability office on a path to cleaner backup power over time; project representatives said they would cooperate and noted supply constraints for certain renewable backup fuels.

Vote and immediate outcome: The council adopted the permit amendment after a roll call vote. (The hearing record shows a multi‑hour public hearing with many speakers both for and against, and earlier subcommittee discussions and two site visits.) Councilors who asked for continuing oversight said they will monitor implementation and expect to review further permit amendments if and when Markley seeks additional generators or storage.

Ending: The decision allows Markley to operate the four additional tanks but keeps the issue of long‑term decarbonization and neighborhood mitigation active: councilors and the company agreed to ongoing meetings with the sustainability director and with neighborhood representatives to develop further mitigation and transition plans.