HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania environmental regulators are moving aggressively on three fronts, from scrutinizing a proposed data center in Lackawanna County to forcing cleanup of a major gasoline leak in Delaware County, while also touting millions in energy savings for local governments statewide.
The Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold a public informational meeting Tuesday, January 6, on permit applications tied to the proposed “Project Gravity” data center in Archbald Borough. The meeting, scheduled from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Valley View High School, will focus on DEP’s regulatory role and the environmental implications of a seven-building data center complex planned by Archbald 25 Developer LLC. If inclement weather interferes, the meeting will shift to January 12.
DEP is reviewing applications that would allow wetlands and waterways to be filled and authorize large-scale earthmoving at the site. Agency officials and the developer will field questions from residents, though those wishing to speak must register and submit questions in advance (contact Patti Monahan at pamonahan@pa.gov or 570-826-2511). The public comment period for the wetlands permit has been extended and will now close Tuesday, January 20.
At the same time, DEP reported that its Shared Energy Manager Program helped 20 local governments and school districts identify more than $1 million in energy savings during 2025, part of a broader push to cut costs and emissions using federal funding tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Since 2020, the program has identified nearly $4.8 million in savings and reduced pollution by more than 15,000 metric tons annually, according to the agency.
Participants ranged from large counties and cities, including Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, to smaller municipalities and school districts across the state. Applications remain open for the 2026 program, with priority given to governments with existing climate or energy transition plans and those serving environmental justice communities.
DEP also took decisive enforcement action in Delaware County after learning that a gasoline leak at Monroe Energy’s Chelsea Pipeline Station and Tank Farm may have released as much as 9,000 barrels, or roughly 378,000 gallons, of fuel. The agency issued an administrative order requiring Monroe Energy’s MIPC, LLC to begin an interim cleanup, investigate the extent of contamination, and provide bottled water to residents using private wells until testing is complete.
The order compels the company to identify and test nearby wells, evaluate potential vapor intrusion into homes, and submit a public involvement plan to keep residents informed. DEP said the leak likely originated from a quarter-inch hole at the bottom of a storage tank and may have affected soil and groundwater, though no confirmed offsite impacts have been documented so far.
DEP officials said the actions reflect a broader effort to balance economic development, fiscal responsibility, and public health protection. Residents with environmental concerns are urged to contact DEP’s statewide hotline at 1-800-541-2050.
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