W. Penn sets date for data review

West Penn Township supervisors have moved forward with an ordinance aimed at regulating data center development. The board approved advertising the proposed ordinance and set a public hearing for June 1st at 5:30 p.m. at the township municipal building to allow residents to comment. Chairman Tony Prudenti explained that the ordinance would also regulate cryptocurrency mining and the development of electrical substations. Solicitor Paul Datte noted that data centers often require significant acreage (30 to 50 acres) and that the biggest issues associated with them are power, water, and noise. The ordinance would permit data centers in industrial districts, but only with a special exception. Copies of the ordinance have been provided to both the township planning commission and the Schuylkill County Planning Commission. This draft ordinance had been under review for some time, with the board having tabled its advertisement at a previous March meeting before ultimately deciding to proceed.