ARCHBALD, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — It was yet another conditional use hearing Monday in Lackawanna County, as residents and officials weigh in on a proposed power plant in Archbald. The project is just one piece of a much larger wave of development, including multiple proposed data centers that could reshape the borough.
The proposal from Essential Energy would transform a 17-acre site on Main Street, currently home to an auto salvage yard, into a nearly 500 thousand square foot power generation facility.
Plans call for four turbine pads, each about 66,000 square feet, producing roughly 400 megawatts of electricity. Developers say the location was chosen because of its access to existing transmission lines and natural gas infrastructure.
Supporters argue the plant would help meet growing energy demands across the regional grid, known as PJM, which spans 13 states.
“This project’s location is based on the proximity to natural gas and transmission lines. the project is environmental responsible taking the place of a salvage yard with gas generation which provide greater community economic benefit,” said Jennifer Leonard, KCI Technology.
The plant would employ only a handful of workers full-time, with about 10 parking spaces planned. Developers say it would use air cooling instead of water.
But some officials and residents raised concerns about missing details in the application.
“You have provided zero evidence for noise, odor, dust, light, glare, or vibration impacts. These are essential to evaluating the project, not minor technicalities,” said Tamara Misewicz-Healey.
Others questioned whether the plant could lower energy costs locally, something developers say they cannot guarantee, since electricity would be sold on the open market.
The proposal is also part of a broader push for infrastructure in the region, with six additional data center projects proposed in Archbald, totaling 51 buildings in a borough of just 7,500 people.
Consultants say the demand is real.
“The fundamental problem is that the demand for electricity is growing at rate that exceeds the ability of existing power grid to meet that demand. Without new generation, some customers may not get the power they need,” said Randall Holmes, consultant for Essential Energy.