The Newark Residents Against the Power Plant (NRAPP) are celebrating what they feel is a victory after the University of Delaware abandoned the data center project on its STAR campus on Thursday.
NRAPP members gathers by UD’s Old College on Thursday afternoon where hands that once held signs of protest held signs thanking the university for making what they feel is the right decision.
Chair of the NRAPP Jen Wallace believes the tipping point was during UD's Earth Week in April when the university came to a realization about the true impact of the project.
"Vice Provost of Research Charles Riordan said that the project was looking like more power plant than data center," said Wallace. “They realized that [the project] doesn’t fit squarely with their stated goals and that is something you just can’t get over. They have their strategic plan their Path to Prominence, a climate action plan, and a master plan for the STAR campus and this project is just not a good fit.”
Member of the NRAPP Steering Committee Amy Roe says this shows the power of a community banding together.
“When we first learned about this, we were told that it was a done deal," said Roe. "We’ve proven that the voice of the community has a lot to say in how things are shaped. The University of Delaware evaluated the project using very reasonable criteria and came to the same conclusion as the neighbors had."
Roe added that she will continue to stay active with any further plans that the Data Center, LLC - the company behind the project - may have in the state.
"I'm concerned about another location experiencing the same risks to a community that we faced here," said Roe. "I'd like to know where any plans may be so I can evaluate the site. It's possible there is a good location for the project but it's hard for me to say."
The NRAPP formed 399 days prior to UD’s decision Thursday to terminate the project in opposition of the proposed facility’s 279 megawatt cogeneration power plant. Members also felt that the project wouldn't be of benefit to the community due to the fact that it was designed to run with very few employees.
"We feel that the University of Delaware may want to do a better job in finding projects in the future that could fulfill their goals and provide jobs for the community," said Wallace.