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Commissioner urges countywide health-impact assessment amid surge of data-center proposals
Summary
A Lackawanna County commissioner asked staff to study the cumulative health impacts of more than a dozen proposed data centers and associated power plants, citing a recent external analysis and urging an independent countywide assessment before more permits are issued.
A Lackawanna County commissioner on June 3 urged the county to commission an independent, countywide health-impact assessment to measure the cumulative effects of a wave of proposed data centers and the power plants that would serve them.
The commissioner framed the request as “pro-information” and said residents deserve answers about air quality, noise and water impacts before large projects proceed. “What will all of this mean for the health of the people who actually live in Lackawanna County?” the commissioner asked, arguing a single-project review does not capture regional cumulative effects.
As evidence, the commissioner cited a study of a Virginia data center that relied on multiple natural-gas turbines and diesel backup generators; the commissioner said the study estimated millions of dollars in annual health damages and projected additional premature deaths and increased hospital admissions tied to emissions. The speaker also described local topography and temperature inversions that, the commissioner said, could magnify pollution impacts in valley areas.
The commissioner proposed that planning professionals, the county legal team and staff “explore what would be required to commission an independent countywide health impact assessment” and report back on feasibility and cost. The board discussed options for funding, including asking developers to pay for the study, and several commissioners agreed to share the referenced report on the county website.
The commissioner also referenced draft state legislation from State Sen. Katie Muth proposing a three-year moratorium on hyperscale data-center development (Senate Bill 1359). The speaker asked the board to consider publicly supporting the pending moratorium language and to send letters to the county’s state delegation after members have reviewed the bill text.
County officials said the county, as a home-rule charter jurisdiction, has limited authority to stop municipal zoning approvals but can provide studies and guidance municipalities may use when deciding local land-use approvals. The board asked staff to assess feasibility, costs and potential funders for an independent health-impact assessment and to report back.
The discussion closed with commissioners agreeing to circulate the cited analysis to colleagues and to investigate next steps; no binding policy or moratorium was adopted at the June 3 meeting.
