Community voices concerns after township passes data center ordinance

The North Beaver Township supervisors in the Bessemer Mount Jackson area of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, unanimously approved an ordinance laying out requirements for future data centers, following months of work since November. The decision came despite passionate remarks and significant community concerns from approximately 70 people who crowded into the township garage. Residents voiced strong opposition, citing worries about "mega millionaires" and the environmental impact on natural wildlife, particularly near the Mohawk School where children attend. Concerns also focused on potential health effects from low-frequency noise, which one man described as causing vertigo, nausea, headaches, and sleeplessness, like a "constant hum." Township Solicitor Lou Perrotta clarified that the ordinance regulates, rather than bans, data centers, noting that only the Pennsylvania state legislature can enact a ban. The approved ordinance designates specific industrial zones (shaded blue on a map) as the only areas where data centers could be built. It also mandates that water usage must come from public supplies, not wells, requires an environmental assessment for air quality, and sets noise limits at 69 decibels during the day and 59 decibels at night. While the ordinance is now in place for any immediate data center proposals, the township supervisors plan to examine further setbacks, decibel limits, and vibrations to determine if amendments are needed. The discussion on data center ordinances is set to continue at a 5:30 meeting tomorrow at the Mahoning Township Municipal Building.