ARCHBALD, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Questions about noise, health impacts and the validity of the application itself dominated another lengthy hearing Monday night on a proposed natural gas power plant in Archbald.
The project, proposed by Essential Energy LLC, would transform a roughly 17-acre site along Eynon Jermyn Road into a nearly 500,000-square-foot power generation facility capable of producing approximately 400 megawatts of electricity.
The proposal is one piece of a much larger wave of development proposed throughout the borough, where six data center campuses totaling 51 buildings are also seeking approvals. Residents packed council chambers once again as borough officials continued conditional use hearings on the project.
The hearing focused largely on sound projections from the facility.
James Barnes, an acoustics and vibration consultant retained by the applicant, presented findings from a seven-page noise study that concluded the plant would comply with Archbald’s noise ordinance during both daytime and nighttime operations.
“The results show that both the daytime and the nighttime levels at all different areas that we studied, the receptor areas as well as at the property line, that they would meet both the daytime and nighttime limits,” Barnes testified.
However, council members, residents and attorneys repeatedly questioned the assumptions used in the report.
During testimony, Barnes acknowledged that specific equipment for the facility has not yet been selected and that the final placement of equipment on the site remains unknown. He also said his study was based on preliminary conceptual plans and did not include baseline sound measurements from surrounding neighborhoods.
Council and sworn in parties challenged those assumptions, noting that trees have already been removed in portions of the area and questioning whether changes in vegetation could affect sound levels.
Barnes also acknowledged he did not consult with the borough’s noise expert when preparing his report.
The proposed facility has drawn concern from residents because of its proximity to homes, schools and Staback Park.
Council directly asked Barnes whether he would personally live approximately 850 feet from the proposed facility.
“Uh I’ve lived in environments that have noise in them,” Barnes responded, drawing reactions from the audience.
Council President Lou Rapoch voiced frustration over what he described as a lack of definitive answers.
“Everything is all well and good. It’s just opinions, speculation and projections,” Rapoch said. “You can’t give us definite answers. Why don’t you bring all these machines, plug them in and let us hear what you’re telling us?”
Beyond the technical questions, the hearing also featured a legal challenge from attorney Justin Richards, who represents residents opposing several large-scale development projects in the borough.
Richards argued that Essential Energy LLC lacked standing when the zoning permit application was submitted because the company did not legally exist at the time. The zoning permit application was filed on March 12, but Essential Energy filed with the state on March 13.
“This application stems from a zoning permit application that was submitted prior to the applicant existing and I think that this whole thing is a legal nullity. I just want to put that on the record,” Richards said.
Developers have said the site was selected because of its access to existing natural gas infrastructure and nearby transmission lines. Plans call for four turbine pads, each measuring roughly 66,000 square feet, with the facility generating electricity that could support future energy demands in the region.
Another conditional use hearing is scheduled to continue July 21 at 5 p.m. at Valley View High School.