Pennsylvania Residents Block NorthPoint Development Data Center Project

Residents of Hazle and Sugarloaf Townships in eastern Pennsylvania are opposing Project Hazelnut, a large-scale data center developed by NorthPoint Development. The project, which required clearing more than 1,200 acres of forest, is currently under a court-ordered construction halt and a municipal moratorium following local concerns regarding noise and pollution.

To mitigate opposition, NorthPoint Development proposed a $165 million community fund. This proposal includes $45 million intended for $10,000 payments to 4,500 local households, though many residents have rejected the money, characterizing the payments as bribes. In Sugarloaf Township, the conflict has extended to the installation of high-voltage power lines needed to power the facility, with some property owners facing eminent domain proceedings.

While President Donald Trump supports the expansion of data centers to ensure United States dominance in artificial intelligence, local resistance has grown across party lines. This opposition coincides with a broader national trend; Data Center Watch reported that at least 75 similar projects were blocked or delayed in early 2026. The local dispute remains a point of contention ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.