Falls Twp. Residents Push Back Against Under Construction Data Center
Residents in Falls Township, Pennsylvania, are actively opposing an Amazon Web Services data center currently under construction, citing concerns about potential environmental and health impacts. Despite a petition with 900 signatures and protests, township officials state they lack the legal authority to halt the already approved project due to state preemption laws. The township plans to arrange a town hall meeting to address community concerns directly.
Falls Township residents are actively pushing back against a large Amazon Web Services data center under construction at the Keystone Trade Center, a former U.S. Steel property. Opponents, including local mothers Amanda Westerman and Julia Resler, voiced concerns at a Falls Township Board of Supervisors meeting, highlighting potential environmental and health impacts such as increased temperatures, wildlife disruption, and noise pollution, including subaudible infrasound. A petition against the project has already gathered 900 signatures, and separate protests have occurred.
Residents claim they were not adequately notified about the development, despite the project being approved by Falls Township officials in March 2025 as a "digital infrastructure campus" totaling over 2 million square feet. Amazon's involvement was initially undisclosed, revealed in June 2025. Township officials, including Supervisor Chairperson Jeff Dence and Manager John Shepherd, acknowledged community frustration but stated the township legally cannot halt the project once approved. Shepherd cited Pennsylvania state law, which preempts local jurisdictions from enacting moratoriums on development or denying projects based solely on public unpopularity.
The data center project previously received high-profile bipartisan backing, with Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro and Republican U.S. Senator Dave McCormick expressing support last summer, touting state efforts to streamline permitting. In response to ongoing opposition, Supervisor Dence indicated that the township intends to organize a town hall-style meeting, inviting Amazon representatives to address residents' concerns directly. Opponents have vowed to continue their research into data center impacts and persist in gathering signatures for their petition.