Residents urged South Whitehall Township officials Sept. 9 to reject or require significant changes to the proposed Project Atlas data center, raising concerns about air quality, noise, student health, water contamination and fire safety during a special public meeting that drew roughly 40 speakers.

The comments came as South Whitehall Township’s Community Development Department recently recommended against approving the project’s preliminary land development plan, citing outstanding review comments that must be addressed before the application can move forward.

South Whitehall Township held the special meeting at Parkland High School to allow public comment and provide an opportunity for the Landscape and Shade Tree Commission, Environmental Advisory Council and Park and Recreation Board to review the proposal.

Residents spoke during a public-comment session that lasted from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and approved a motion directing their concerns be memorialized in a memorandum for the applicant and planning commission.

The meeting followed a Sept. 4 review in which the Community Development Department said it was not recommending approval of the preliminary plan because of unresolved issues and requested a revised submission.

Several residents focused their comments on environmental, public health and safety impacts.

Julie Thomases cited the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s 2026 Asthma Capitals report and read a letter from Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania opposing Project Atlas because of potential environmental and health impacts.

Alice Lenthe, a former executive director of environmental health and safety for Merck, called the project’s environmental impact analysis “incomplete and totally inadequate.” She said the analysis did not sufficiently address fuel storage, karst geology, hazardous air pollutants, particulate matter or extended generator operation during outages.

“During my career, if I would have received this document, I would have immediately rejected it and demanded a more thorough and complete assessment,” Lenthe said. “And I urge the EAC to do the same.”

Caren Lowrey raised concerns about potential impacts on Parkland High School students, citing noise, air quality and generator emissions.

Matt McClanahan, co-owner of Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre, cited nearby industrial noise as a real-world example and questioned whether Project Atlas could avoid similar impacts.

Greg Sussman, speaking on behalf of the South Whitehall Civic Alliance, raised concerns about lithium-ion batteries, diesel fuel storage and potential effects on nearby watersheds.

“Do we want that to happen to the Coplay Creek?” Sussman asked.

Project Atlas has generated significant public interest since it was first proposed. The current plan encompasses approximately 410 acres and calls for three principal data center buildings, an accessory structure and a cell tower.

The local debate comes as Pennsylvania establishes new requirements for data center development.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026-05 on Aug. 18 directing state agencies to require compliance with Responsible Infrastructure Development, or GRID, requirements.

In statements issued regarding the executive order, and not during the Sept. 9 public meeting, state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, and state Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-131st, voiced support for increased oversight and local involvement.

“Data centers must pay the costs they create, utilities must not shift those costs onto existing customers, the PUC must have the tools to protect grid reliability, and local communities must have a meaningful voice before development moves forward,” Boscola said.

Mackenzie said, “The people whose lives will be most affected by these projects must have the right to be heard and to have their concerns respected. Local governing boards must also be held accountable.”

Following the public-comment portion of the meeting, township advisory boards continued their review. The Landscape and Shade Tree Commission requested additional details regarding transition zones, buffering, substation equipment heights and long-term management plans.

Project Atlas will next appear before the South Whitehall Township Planning Commission on Sept. 23. The current deadline for township action is Oct. 31.