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Commissioner urges Lackawanna County to use legal tools against sprawling data-center projects
Summary
At the May 6 Lackawanna County commissioners meeting a county commissioner urged the board to intervene in large data-center proposals, saying projects such as Gravity and Project Green Mountain threaten community character, water and air quality and county-owned property; commissioners asked county counsel to explore legal options.
At the May 6 meeting of the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners, a county commissioner urged the board to use every lawful tool to oppose large data-center developments, arguing the projects threaten the character, environment and resources of local communities.
"What power does Lackawanna County have to defend itself?" the commissioner asked, saying developments including Gravity and Project Green Mountain are “monstrosities” that back up against county-affiliated housing and public parks. The commissioner cited a Washington Post story that compared the scale of a proposed data-center campus to dozens of Walmart supercenters and warned of ecological and quality-of-life costs, including increased noise, diesel generators and heavy water usage.
The speaker pressed the board to consider litigation and other formal interventions when county-owned property or infrastructure could be affected. "If county parks are affected ... then I don't think the county belongs on the sidelines," the commissioner said, urging filings of objections, presentation of experts and appeals as needed.
Chair responded that county counsel has been asked to review options. The chair told commissioners counsel indicated while county zoning authority is limited in municipalities that have adopted their own ordinances, the county may have standing as an adjacent landowner. "Counsel did agree that ... we do have standing or believes we do have standing to enter into this," the chair said, and commissioners asked staff to iron out the details for possible action.
The exchange reflected growing local concern about the scale of proposed data centers, their infrastructure needs and the potential for long-term impacts on water, air quality and housing. No formal vote to initiate litigation occurred at the meeting; commissioners agreed instead to pursue further legal review and next steps.
The board is expected to continue the conversation with the county solicitor and staff on what legal actions, if any, the county can pursue.
