Two Data Center Applications have been submitted by developer,  HCI DP Land Acquisition LLC  (The Hanover Company), Houston, Tx.

IMPACT ZONES

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Impacts at 1 to 2 miles will affect:   

• All of Hummelstown Boro
• South Hanover Township, East of Route 39 
• Lower Dauphin High School
• Hershey West End 
• Hershey Medical Center
• Hershey neighborhoods west of Hockersville Rd

 

Noise:  Continuous noise that can travel up to 2.5 miles away, with the worst noise being within 3000 feet of the facility. The long-term impacts include hearing loss, stress, insomnia, and decreased quality of life.    Electrical equipment tonal noise can be particularly disruptive and the low-frequency noise from the cooling fans cannot be blocked using traditional sound barriers. 

Air Quality:  Diesel backup generators emit hazardous pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter and ozone. These pollutants increase rates of respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions, and elevate cancer risks among nearby communities .  Diesel exhaust is known to harm health - increased lung cancer risk, 32 cardiovascular disease, worsened asthma symptoms, and premature mortality.  In 2012, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization) classified diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans.  A recent model indicates that the U.S. data centers in 2030 could contribute to nearly 1300 deaths annually, resulting in a public health burden of more than $20 billion.  

Water:  Data centers use excessive amounts of water putting a strain on local groundwater and/or public water supplies.  Even closed loop systems use millions of gallons a day and contain glycol, PFAS and other chemicals that municipal wastewater treatment plants are not designed to process.  These can pose contamination risks to ground (wells) and surface (Swatara Creek) water.

Light Pollution:  Disrupts sleep cycles, disturbes migration patterns and habitat development.  

Decreasing Property Values:  Housing prices drop an average of 5-20% near a data center.

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Impacts at 6+ miles will likely affect:

• Hummelstown Boro
• South Hanover Township
• Derry Township
• Middletown
• Palmdale
• Rutherford
• Paxtonia
• East Hanover Township
• West Hanover Township

 

Heat Island Effect:  A Cambridge University professor found surface temperatures increased by an average of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit after a data center started operations. In extreme cases, nearby temperatures increase by up to 16.4 degrees Fahrenheit.  Temperature increases affected areas up to 6.2 miles away, the research found.  

Chemical and Thermal Water Pollution:  If inadequately treated, these discharges could affect downstream water quality and aquatic life. 

Higher Electric Rates:  Increased demand for electricity is causing a spike in rates and straining the already overburdened grid.  PA electric rates have increased by as much as 30% since 2020 and increased 20% just last year.

Unknown Effects:  The full health and environmental impacts of data centers are largely unknown. 

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