Boston Residents Seek Legal Halt to Markley Data Center Expansion
Boston-area residents are seeking a judicial pause on the expansion of the Markley data center in Lowell, alleging that state environmental regulators unlawfully permitted the addition of more diesel generators to the site.
Boston, MA, July 29, 2026 —
A group of Boston-area residents has filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the expansion of the Markley data center in Lowell, Massachusetts. The legal action targets state environmental regulators, whom the residents allege unlawfully permitted the installation of additional diesel generators at the facility.
The residents contend that the permitting process for the new generators was flawed and did not adequately consider the environmental impact. They are asking a court to impose a judicial pause on the expansion project until these concerns are addressed.
The specific allegations involve claims that the state environmental regulators did not follow proper procedures when approving the addition of more diesel generators. The expansion plans for the Markley data center include increasing its power generation capacity, which has raised environmental concerns among local communities.
Details regarding the specific environmental impacts cited by the residents, such as air quality or noise pollution, were not provided in the available information. Similarly, the precise timeline for the alleged unlawful permitting and the potential start date for the expansion were not specified.
The contractor responsible for the expansion work was not named in the provided summary. The outcome of the legal challenge and any potential timelines for court proceedings remain uncertain. The fine amount, if any, associated with the alleged violations was not provided.
This development highlights ongoing tensions between the growth of data center infrastructure and environmental protection concerns in the region. Residents are advocating for a more rigorous review process for such industrial expansions, particularly when they involve the use of fossil fuel-dependent power sources like diesel generators.
Story summarized from the original created by WBUR on www.wbur.org, see more information here.
