Damascus holds public hearing on data center ordinance
Damascus Township held a public hearing on a proposed data center ordinance, with residents raising concerns about noise, setbacks, environmental oversight, decommissioning and public disclosure. A resident requested a six-month extension of the township’s data center application moratorium, but officials said no further extensions could be granted; the ordinance was expected to be finalized for an October 19 supervisors meeting.
Damascus Township supervisors held a public hearing on a draft ordinance regulating data centers. Residents and speakers, including Barbara Arrindell of Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, questioned noise-testing standards, fines, setbacks, environmental participation, decommissioning timelines and whether ambiguous language could allow a facility to operate under another classification.
The hearing also addressed public access to data center plans, potential use of small modular reactors or microreactors to supply electricity, and Pennsylvania requirements for facilities exceeding 25 megawatts. Steve Lundgren asked for a six-month extension of the township’s data center application moratorium, but township officials said no additional extensions could be granted. The draft ordinance was expected to be completed for the Board of Supervisors’ October 19 meeting, with any further amendments subject to public notice and another hearing or meeting.