Middlesex advances Phase 1-A of $15B, 700-acre data-center campus with PPL substation

The Middlesex Township Planning Commission voted Monday night, Feb. 24, 2026, to advance the preliminary land‑development plan for Phase 1‑A of a proposed $15 billion, 700‑acre data‑center campus. Phase 1‑A as presented focuses on construction of a PPL substation and other customer substations on the Country Club Road property, and developers said the work would include road and stormwater infrastructure.

Developers and their representatives characterized the submission as primarily infrastructure rather than immediate data‑center construction. Charlie Courtney, identified at the hearing as a Harrisburg‑based real estate attorney, told township officials, "There are other plans that have been submitted that are for a data center, but this is simply an infrastructure plan." Developers also said a sound study has been completed for the substations.

At the same meeting a representative addressing township officials, identified in coverage as Justin Ross, said acoustic impacts would be minimal at the planned setbacks. "At the distances we’re talking about with setbacks, [the sound] will be pretty imperceptible," Ross said, a point developers cited alongside their sound‑study claim when responding to resident concerns about noise.

The planning commission meeting drew heavy public turnout. Dozens of residents packed the Middlesex Township building for a three‑hour hearing and repeatedly raised worries about noise, wildlife and proximity to homes and schools. Meredith Herner told FOX43, "I wish they would put a stop to it, and I wish they would not go through with it," and was also reported as saying, "I have deer running in my backyard, as well as turkey and other wildlife. I’m afraid that’s all going to go away." Sue Zeller told officials, "It's just a little close to all of the developments and schools. It's too much."

With the planning commission action completed, the Phase 1‑A preliminary plan will go before the Middlesex Township Board of Supervisors for consideration in March; an exact meeting date was not provided in the presentations reported to the commission. The materials presented to the commission did not identify the developer or provide engineering specifications such as substation capacities, site footprints, or detailed sound‑study findings.

Key technical and procedural questions remain open: the developer identity and ownership of the Country Club Road site, the full sound‑study report and its measured decibel levels, any environmental or wetlands assessments, traffic and stormwater engineering details, and PPL’s formal role and permit filings. Township planning staff, the Board of Supervisors agenda for March, the submitted preliminary land‑development documents, and PPL were all identified as logical next points for public records requests and follow up as the project proceeds to the supervisors’ review.