Coal Center makes data center vote unanimous
Six Mon Valley municipalities, including Coal Center, have unanimously approved a yearlong moratorium on data center development to allow time to strengthen their joint zoning ordinance. This pause addresses community concerns regarding potential impacts like noise, water, and electricity demand, particularly concerning a 400-acre former steel mill property eyed for AI infrastructure. The measure aims to establish protective regulations before any development applications are filed.
Six municipalities in Pennsylvania's Mon Valley region, including Coal Center, Stockdale, Roscoe, Dunlevy, Allenport, and Elco, have unanimously enacted a yearlong moratorium on new data center development. Coal Center Borough Council's vote on Thursday finalized the coordinated effort, immediately pausing future data center proposals across the participating communities.
The decision stems from growing community concern surrounding a 400-acre former Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel mill property, now part of Mon River Industrial Park, which spans Allenport, Dunlevy, and Stockdale. EQT Ventures LLC currently holds an exclusive option to purchase this site and has been marketing it for artificial intelligence infrastructure. While no land development or zoning application has been submitted, residents and officials expressed the need for updated regulations.
The temporary halt provides officials from the six municipalities with time to develop a "municipal curative amendment" to their joint zoning ordinance. This process will enable them to review and strengthen regulations concerning potential impacts such as noise, water consumption, electrical demand, lighting, and stormwater management associated with large-scale data centers. Stockdale Councilwoman Sherri Martin lauded the unanimous approval as a "win" for the communities, emphasizing it allows them to proactively establish protections before development applications arise. She also highlighted the increasing public involvement throughout the resolution process, noting that residents' voices have been crucial and that further engagement is needed as the communities work on the zoning amendment and engage with local school boards regarding potential incentives.