Residents Fight Amazon Data Center With 'Mini Erin Brockovich' Tactics

Residents of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania, are actively opposing the development of a 1,300-acre data center campus, known as Project Hazelnut, which is being spearheaded by NorthPoint Development. The project represents a $165 million investment in the rural area at the foot of the Poconos. NorthPoint Development sent letters to eligible households in June, offering a potential $10,000 incentive for residents to agree to the data center's construction. This payout, however, is contingent upon the completion of the first building within the proposed 15-building campus. The Wall Street Journal initially reported on this incentive, which has been largely met with rejection by the township's residents. Beyond the financial incentive for residents, NorthPoint's proposal also includes funding for the local police department, according to the letter viewed by Fortune. Erika Cook, described as a "mini Erin Brockovich," was aware of NorthPoint's plans for the data center years before the official notification to residents. In their collective effort to combat Project Hazelnut, locals have uncovered evidence suggesting a significant, albeit covert, role for Amazon in the project. Despite the absence of Amazon's name from all Project Hazelnut and NorthPoint branding, residents began filing right-to-know requests. These requests led to the release of records in January, detailing communications between Amazon and the Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development. These emails, which Fortune has reviewed and were previously reported by local news outlets, indicate that Amazon desired its involvement to remain undisclosed due to broad "contractual issues." State officials reportedly attempted to make Amazon's role public, but the company pushed for secrecy. An Amazon spokesperson communicated to Fortune that the company is "evaluating multiple sites across the Commonwealth" and is engaged in discussions with NorthPoint, but has not yet finalized any definitive agreement. In a blog post published on Friday, Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman stated that the company is exploring various locations within Pennsylvania. The resistance from Hazle Township residents highlights a growing trend of community opposition to large-scale industrial developments, particularly those involving major technology companies and the potential impacts of eminent domain, which developers often utilize to acquire land for such projects. The residents' proactive approach, employing legal and investigative tactics, aims to protect their rural community from the extensive footprint of a data center campus.