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Public commenters urge environmental studies and regulations for data centers as council hears mixed views on jobs and taxes
Summary
During public comment, union representatives and residents urged New Castle County Council to adopt guidelines, environmental review, and controls for data centers. Speakers debated potential job benefits, electricity and water impacts, and tax revenue projections; the ordinance on data centers remained tabled.
Several public commenters addressed the council on Feb. 3 about data center development and the need for local guidelines and environmental review.
Matthew Amendola, an IBW Local 313 electrician, urged the county to "position Delaware to benefit" from data center investment by setting clear energy and development standards that capture jobs and tax benefits for local workers. He described data centers as part of a major growth trend and said good standards could yield high-wage union careers.
Robin Roberts, calling in during the online public comment period, urged additional environmental impact studies before approving new data centers, saying the county should understand effects on local communities and environments before permitting more projects.
Jacob Walls and Dale Swain also spoke: Walls supported responsible, retroactive guidelines and emphasized potential local infrastructure strain; Swain questioned optimistic tax-revenue projections and urged controls, noting that state tax incentives and credits can reduce long-term local tax payments.
Matthew Morris urged the council to study impacts on electricity infrastructure and to consider public opposition when evaluating proposed ordinances. Multiple commenters emphasized that any local regulations should include retroactive provisions covering existing sites.
Earlier in the meeting the council confirmed that "Substitute 2 to Ordinance 25-101" remains tabled; no final action on data-center regulation occurred during this session. Council members thanked speakers and recorded the comments for future consideration.
Speakers offered both economic and environmental arguments; the meeting record shows a range of claims about jobs and tax revenues that were not verified during public comment.
