Mount Carmel Township enacts 180-day moratorium on data center proposals to upgrade zoning
Mount Carmel Township supervisors have enacted a 180-day moratorium on data center proposals to allow for upgrades to the zoning ordinance. This decision followed significant opposition from over 100 residents concerned about noise, light, water usage, and electricity demands of data centers.
Mount Carmel Township supervisors voted 3-0 to enact a 180-day moratorium on data center proposals, a decision met with applause from more than 100 residents present at the Coal Region Sports Complex. The moratorium aims to allow the township to further amend a zoning ordinance to regulate data centers. Residents voiced strong opposition at a prior hearing, expressing concerns about potential impacts from light and noise pollution, significant water consumption for cooling, and the substantial electricity demands of data centers. Supervisors Aaron Domanski, Gary Namet, and Joseph Lapotsky cast the votes for the moratorium.