Delaware DNREC Blocks Project Washington Data Center Under Coastal Zone Act
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has blocked the proposed Project Washington data center near Delaware City, citing violations of the Coastal Zone Act. The project, developed by Starwood Digital Ventures, planned for 11 buildings totaling 6 million square feet, incorporating over 500 backup generators and 2.5 million gallons of diesel fuel storage.
The DNREC ruling states that the facility's design poses significant environmental risks, including potential nitrogen oxide emissions greater than those from the Delaware City Refinery. Developers have 14 days to appeal the decision.
The Coastal Zone Act, established in 1971, aims to protect the state's coastal areas from heavy industrial development. The project was under scrutiny for exceeding the 5-acre limit for tank farms and for unprecedented generator numbers.
