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Residents press council on data centers, ownership changes and oversight
Summary
Public commenters urged the New Castle County Council to scrutinize data center proposals, raised concerns about developer conduct and ownership changes at a Claymont property, and presented divergent views on jobs and oversight. Speakers named developers (Starwood) and a new owner, Solstice Advanced Materials, and referenced PJM and regional permitting.
During the public‑comment period on Jan. 13, multiple residents, community advocates and a union representative addressed the council about data center development, regional grid issues and a contested property in Claymont.
Robbie Anstead (Claymont Coalition for Environmental Justice) and other commenters raised concerns about a Claymont site with a history of contamination and a recent ownership change to Solstice Advanced Materials, which Anstead said is a spin‑off of Honeywell and whose CEO in an October 2025 video cited defense, nuclear and data‑center work. Anstead told council the site "was once involved in post war uranium production and research under Atomic Energy Commission contracts" and asked the council to prioritize health and safety oversight.
Monica Sealy urged strict regulations for data centers and criticized developers she identified as using high‑pressure sales tactics. "If regulations that protect the health, safety, and economic well‑being of Delaware scare companies away, maybe those aren't the ones that we should be partnering with," Sealy said, adding she prefers stronger safeguards or not permitting projects that fail to meet them.
By contrast, Matthew Amendola, a union electrician with IBEW Local 313, framed the proposals as economic opportunities. He said large digital infrastructure proposals could create thousands of construction jobs, permanent careers with benefits and significant tax revenue, and warned that hesitation could send jobs to neighboring states.
Rob Bullock asked why PJM Interconnection had not engaged more directly with local town halls, arguing the grid operator's role matters for supply and pricing. Commenters pointed to actions in other states, including pauses on permits and proposed surcharges, as examples of how jurisdictions have responded.
Speakers called for stronger local oversight, clearer contracts and community engagement; the council received the comments but did not take an immediate formal action on data‑center policy at the meeting.
