U. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. – Plans for a massive data center in Upper Macungie Township are officially dead.
Air Products confirmed Tuesday it will not appeal the township zoning board’s rejection to build a 2.6 million-square-foot data center.
Air Products’ decision to let that 30-day appeal window pass brings an end to months of heated debate in Upper Macungie.
Local residents and state lawmakers say this outcome proves community pushback works, but the regional fight for many is far from over.
In a statement to 69 News, Air Products confirmed it will not pursue an appeal, saying in part, “Air Products has a long history in the Lehigh Valley, and we remain committed to maintaining positive relationships in the communities where we operate.”
“You saw the crowds that came out. You’ve seen everything put out on Facebook,” Upper Macungie resident David Caruth said. “A lot of people doing research. You’re getting a lot of folks in the community behind this and then also the township as well. So, when the community comes together, great things happen.”
Crowds of frustrated neighbors unified to fight the proposed 2.6 million-square-foot data center campus.
With this proposal in Upper Macungie settled, community organizers like Caruth are turning their attention to South Whitehall Township, where “Project Atlas” is proposed across from Parkland High School.
“My daughter and my son will eventually attend that school. A lot of community members don’t want it there. I don’t want it there,” Caruth said. “I don’t think this is going to get approved, but we got the community behind us. A whole army is built.”
State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, a Republican who serves parts of Bucks and Lehigh counties, thinks data centers are a poor fit for the region, and he says the pushback has united the area.
“Certainly great news for our community, in my opinion. And in my opinion, data centers are not a good fit. They’re rather a poor fit for the Lehigh Valley,” Coleman said. “It’s been an issue that really splits partisan divides, which is another reason it’s so important that we take action at the state level.”
The state senator is pushing legislation to give municipalities more options. His bill, Senate Bill 1345, is now up for final passage before the Senate.
“That allows up to an 18-month pause on data center development, allows local municipalities to enact a moratorium so they can craft regulations and ordinances that match the concern of those local municipalities,” Coleman said.