Despite some public pushback, another large data center will be coming to western Pennsylvania.
Last week, Springdale Borough Council voted 5-2 to approve a conditional-use application from land developer Allegheny DC Property Co. to build a massive AI data center at the site of the former Cheswick Generating Station.
Springdale Borough Manager Terry Carcella, a Homer City native, said that there are many similarities between the sites in Springdale and Homer City, namely the fact that both played host to a coal fired power plant. He said that because of this, the existing infrastructure makes locations like these very attractive to developers.
Residents and environmental groups brought up many concerns, including noise pollution and water usage. Carcella says that noise will be easily taken care of.
As far as water concerns go, Carcella says that the design of the water system in the plant will be extremely efficient.
This is the same closed loop system that Homer City Redevelopments plans to use in their construction project, though details are still being finalized.
Construction for Springdale’s plant is planned to begin in 2027. Construction at the Homer City site is already underway, with turbines expected to be operational in 2027.
