There was a presentation at the April 15 board of commissioners meeting on the 2026-2027 South Whitehall Environmental Advisory Council Work Plan.

Chris Strohler, township long-range planner presented the 2026-2027 work plan, noting the board now has a full complement of seven members for the first time.

The plan builds on previous efforts and outlines priorities in five key areas: community outreach, open space preservation, ordinances and policies, waste management and active transportation.

Key initiatives include expanding partnerships with community organizations, advancing the township’s open space referendum through mapping and property prioritization and updating ordinances related to natural resource protection.

The EAC also plans to continue working with waste hauler J.P. Mascaro on recycling education and to promote sustainable practices within the community.

Additionally, the council will support implementation of the township’s active transportation plan by encouraging better connections to open spaces and promoting alternative transportation options.

The work plan will be made available on the township website.

Township officials expressed appreciation for the EAC’s efforts, recognizing its role in addressing upcoming environmental challenges and initiatives.

During the courtesy of the floor segment of the meeting, the first three community members to speak were Julie Thomases, Dan Poresky, and Alice Lenthe.

Thomases raised concerns about air pollution from the proposed Project Atlas data center, particularly fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) from diesel generators.

She explained these particles can cause serious short- and long-term health effects, including respiratory illness, heart problems and premature death.

Thomases noted current PM 2.5 levels in the Allentown area are already at the EPA’s recommended limit and argued additional emissions could pose risks across the Lehigh Valley.

She urged township officials to commission an independent health impact study to better understand the potential public health and economic consequences.

Poresky focused on the potential heat impacts of the data center.

Citing a study from the University of Cambridge, he said large-scale data centers can create “heat islands,” raising surrounding temperatures by several degrees and, in some cases, up to 16 degrees.

Poresky expressed concern the project’s air-cooled design could further increase heat output and energy use, potentially affecting nearby homes, schools and businesses within several miles.

He also noted increased temperatures could lead to higher energy consumption and compound broader climate concerns.

Lenthe addressed issues of public notification and access to information.

She pointed to a recent Pennsylvania Bulletin notice regarding environmental remediation at the project site and questioned the timing of the public comment period, suggesting it may limit meaningful public input.

Lenthe also said it is difficult for residents to find clear and accessible information about Project Atlas on the township’s website.

She encouraged officials to improve transparency by creating a more prominent and user-friendly way for the public to access all related documents and updates.

These were the first three speakers and there were at least five more with similar concerns.