A Lackawanna County judge ruled a Scranton woman can legally oppose plans for a data center campus in a neighboring municipality. The decision in Susan Magnotta’s case may set a precedent as opposition to data centers in Lackawanna County intensifies.
Magnotta’s attorney asks the county Court of Common Pleas to dismiss an appeal filed by developer Scranton Materials over the rejection of its data center plans in Ransom Twp.
Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle granted the petition last month filed by attorney Laura McGarry on behalf of Magnotta, who is her mother. McGarry argued her mother should have standing to intervene in Scranton Materials’ appeal based on the proposed data centers’ proximity — about two-thirds of a mile — to her home on Fawnwood Drive in Scranton’s Keyser Valley section, and adding that the project will negatively affect the already overtaxed stormwater runoff system, causing more water to run onto Magnotta’s property, and create pollution; strain the local water and electric supply grid; increase prices for water and electricity consumption; threaten local wildlife, and decrease property values.
Susan Magnotta’s case may set a precedent as opposition to data centers intensifies in Lackawanna County.
Susan Magnotta’s case may set a precedent as opposition to data centers intensifies in Lackawanna County.
