Another Montco Muncipality Considers Ordinance To Regulate Data Centers

TOWAMENCIN TOWNSHIP, PA — Towamencin Township will consider an ordinance Wednesday night that would regulate the potential construction of data centers in the area.

The move comes as Gov. Shapiro's administration continues to work closely with Amazon and vies to remove municipal authority over data center projects in favor of a "lightning fast" state board.

While no data centers are immediately planned in Towamencin, many in the township and in neighboring municipalities believe proactive steps are needed to protect them from state government and tech giants.

Township Supervisor Kofi Osei is backing the ordinance.

While data centers already widely pre-exist to run the Internet, the new proposals, massive facilities required to run artificial intelligence programs, have much more significant impacts. Concerns over noise, air, and water pollution, along with water and electric bill costs, have led to bipartisan community uproar. Local groups have successfully halted projects in Montgomery and Chester counties.

RELATED: Montco Data Center Developer Lobbies Gov. Shapiro's Office To Take Away Appeal Rights

In response, developers elsewhere in Pennsylvania are attempting to require local governments to sign non-disclosure agreements. The NDAs prevent public discussion about "controversial aspects of data center development and operation," State Rep. Joe Ciresi said.

"These NDAs prevent officials from sharing data centers’ impact on the environment, zoning issues, and community life with residents," Ciresi added.

One Montgomery County real estate developer sent emails to Gov. Shapiro's staff urging the administration to create legislation that would take away the right to appeal data center projects without the posting of a massive bond, according to documents obtained by Concerned Citizens of Montour County.

Ordinances, some municipal leaders hope, will prevent data centers and tech companies from working with the state to circumvent the zoning and appeals process.

The Towamencin meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the township municipal center on 1090 Troxel Road.