FALLS TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania — Residents packed a community meeting to voice concerns over a planned Amazon data center in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, raising questions about air quality, water use, electricity demand and the project's potential impact on nearby neighborhoods as construction advances.
The meeting, hosted Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at Pennsbury East High School, brought together representatives from Amazon, developer NorthPoint Development, utility companies and state regulators to answer questions from the public regarding the proposed facility at the Keystone Trade Center.
Many attendees said they were frustrated by what they viewed as limited public awareness before construction began and expressed concerns about emissions from backup generators, increased demand on local infrastructure and long-term environmental effects. Some speakers also questioned whether local utilities could accommodate the project's electricity needs without affecting residential customers.
According to the DEP, Amazon submitted an application in April seeking approval to install 280 natural gas-fired generator engines and three diesel-fired emergency generators to provide backup electricity during utility outages and for limited testing and maintenance. The agency said it is responsible for reviewing the proposed air-quality permit and emphasized that the public comment process will remain open after formal notice is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
DEP officials said the agency's role is to evaluate the proposal under applicable environmental regulations. Representatives from Amazon and other participants provided information on the project and responded to questions during the meeting, which included a public question-and-answer session.
Some residents said they remained unconvinced by the responses, arguing that more information is needed about potential environmental and community impacts before the project proceeds. Others called for greater transparency and more opportunities for public engagement as permitting reviews continue.
The dispute reflects broader scrutiny of large data center developments across the United States, where growing demand driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing has prompted communities to examine projects' effects on electricity consumption, water resources and local infrastructure. Similar debates have emerged in several states, and New York this week announced a temporary moratorium on certain large new data center projects while environmental review standards are developed.
The DEP said the permitting process remains ongoing, with written public comments to be accepted during the formal comment period before the agency reaches a final decision on the proposed air-quality approval.
