Sunbury leaders press for answers on water, power and noise as Amazon/data‑center debate continues
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Summary
Council and city staff discussed the planned industrial district and concerns about a potential hyperscaler/data center (land owned by Amazon), focusing on water‑cooling options, power availability (AEP not expected until 2031), noise (humming) and diesel generator testing; mayor requested independent studies and pledged thorough review of zoning controls.
At its March 4 meeting the Sunbury City Council spent significant time addressing community concerns about proposed industrial development on the town’s east side, including questions tied to land recently purchased by a major tech company.
Mayor (presiding) and City Manager Hennessy told council members and staff they want to slow the process until technical details are clear. The mayor said officials and residents raised major categories of concern — energy, water, noise, lighting, long‑term health effects and property values — and asked for more data before the planning process proceeds.
Hennessy described one option under discussion for industrial cooling called "effluent reuse": treated, non‑potable wastewater would be further processed on‑site (or in a new utility) and returned for industrial cooling rather than using potable Delco drinking water. City staff said tertiary filtration and on‑site reverse‑osmosis are among the engineering approaches being considered, and they emphasized the city expects any infrastructure costs for reuse to be borne by the developer, not by residents.
Officials noted power availability is a key constraint: American Electric Power (AEP) has told city staff that additional firm power for large hyperscalers is unlikely before about 2031 unless plans change. That timeline, officials said, gives the city time to plan roads, utilities and zoning standards before projects move forward.
Council members also asked about diesel backup generators and a constant "humming" reported by residents near some data centers. Staff characterized the humming as likely related to cooling/air‑conditioning equipment and said large sites typically maintain backup diesel generators that are tested periodically; the council said it will press developers for details on testing schedules and noise mitigation and to limit testing hours in code where appropriate.
Mayor said he wants independent health and noise studies made available to the public before final approvals and said the city will continue to collect public input. "We want to get this right," said one council member. City staff pledged to continue updating the public as engineering answers become available.
