Crowd shows up with questions about data centers in Richmond Township

Almost three dozen residents of Richmond Township, Pennsylvania, attended an August 4th township supervisors' meeting, primarily driven by concerns about potential data center developments. Connie Fish, wife of supervisor Gary Fish, admitted to disseminating information about possible data centers on Facebook, stating she had "snooped into Gary's files" and found information that she felt was being kept secret.

Kathryn Peters, a leader of a local group opposing data centers in Tioga County, directly questioned supervisors about being approached by developers. Supervisor Trisha Hall denied any direct approaches, though township secretary/treasurer Mary House clarified that conversations with landowners may have occurred without the supervisors' involvement. Peters also inquired about the ongoing amendment of the zoning ordinance, to which House explained it was a proactive measure to establish specific zones for data centers in compliance with Pennsylvania law, rather than allowing them to be built anywhere. Township solicitor Jeff Loomis stated no action was currently before the board regarding specific developments. Resident Jim Vandegrift expressed his strong opposition to a proposed site near his home, advocating for data centers to be located elsewhere. The township confirmed it is currently satisfied with the county's data center ordinance and has no plans to draft a more stringent local ordinance, emphasizing that any business would still need to comply with existing township stormwater and land development regulations.