How some townships fight the data center next door | Inquirer Chester County

Communities in Chester County, Pennsylvania, particularly in Philadelphia's collar counties, are seeking strategies to oppose data center proposals, even when these projects are planned for adjacent municipalities. Residents and local leaders are grappling with the challenges of preventing the development of these energy- and water-intensive facilities, especially when their own zoning rules have not been proactively updated to designate appropriate locations. For instance, Spring City residents have strongly vocalized their disapproval of a proposed data center intended for the former Pennhurst site in neighboring East Vincent Township. In response to community sentiment, the Spring City borough council recently passed a resolution to formally express its opposition to the development. Community organizer Ginny Marcille-Kerslake notes an unprecedented level of public engagement, with data center meetings frequently being overcrowded, leading to postponements due to high attendance. The article highlights a broader trend of local resistance to data center expansion, driven by environmental concerns and the perceived lack of adequate regulatory frameworks, prompting communities to find ways to exert influence over developments beyond their immediate borders.