1 data center project in Lowell City
Who decides here: the City Council of Lowell City votes on zoning. The Middlesex County may review big projects too.
In Lowell City
Local votes and rules
⚖️ Court case
Two companies owned by Markley's CEO sued Lowell over its data center pause. In July 2026 news reports said both sides agreed to drop the case. GBH reports the deal lets Markley go ahead with expansion plans it had before the pause.
⚖️ Court case
Lowell residents sued the state environment agency (MassDEP) over the air permit for Markley's data center expansion, which allows 27 diesel backup generators and 16 cooling towers. On Aug. 10, 2026, a judge paused the installation of 4 new generators while the case goes on. The generators already installed can keep running.
⏸️ Pause on new data centers
The City Council voted 10-0 to pause new data centers and the expansion of existing ones for about one year. It can be extended once by 180 days. It was the first data center pause in Massachusetts. Work already underway at the Markley data center was allowed to go on.
What you can do
- Get told first.
We'll email you if anything changes in Lowell City. - Go to council meetings.
Anyone can speak. Big projects usually need a public hearing. - Ask questions in writing.
Use our checklist.
🔔 Get told first
⚡ Your electric company
Depending on where you live in Lowell City: Massachusetts Electric Co. (company) or Massachusetts Bay Trans Authority (public) or Fitchburg Gas & Electric Light Co. (company).
Big data centers need a lot of power. Who pays for new power lines depends on state rules. See the rules in Massachusetts.
🙋 Open tasks here
- How many megawatts will the data center use after the expansion?
- How much water do the cooling towers use per day?
- When will the court decide the residents' lawsuit?
- What exactly does Markley's July 2026 agreement with the city allow?