I Spent 4 Hours at an AI Data Center Town Meeting. Things Got Rowdy.

Residents of Upper Merion Township overwhelmingly protested a proposed AI data center campus due to its immense size, environmental worries, and perceived lack of transparency from developers. A four-hour planning commission meeting was marked by public disruptions and frustration over missing project details, particularly an absent PowerPoint presentation. Ultimately, the planning commission voted not to recommend approval for the initial sites, with further debate scheduled for August.

• Hundreds of Upper Merion Township residents attended a planning commission meeting to oppose a large-scale AI data center proposal.
• Concerns raised by residents include the data center’s massive size (over 4.5 million square feet), environmental impact, and a lack of transparency from the developer, MLV Ventures.
• The meeting was characterized by public disruptions, including shouts, boos, and chants, with attendees largely united against the project.
• Developers, led by Brian O’Neill, were criticized for not providing a detailed breakdown of the project, citing a lack of required information and issues with submitting a PowerPoint presentation.
• The planning commission ultimately voted not to recommend the approval of the developer’s application for the first three proposed locations.
  Continue reading https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-data-center-opposition-upper-merion-pennsylvania-2026-7