Data Center Debate Heats Up In Jefferson County Over Massive Water Demands

A proposed data center in Pine Creek Township, Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, has ignited significant debate and environmental concerns among local residents and officials due to its projected daily water consumption of 1.2 million gallons. During a recent Jefferson County Commissioners' meeting, residents Caleb and Joanna Hayes of Pine Creek Township questioned officials regarding the project's potential environmental impacts, specifically inquiring if any impact studies had been conducted.

Commissioner Jeff Pisarcik acknowledged that, to his knowledge, no such studies had been commissioned, explaining that Jefferson County currently lacks land use or zoning regulations to prevent such developments. He stated that the county's Planning Commission is actively drafting a Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO), though it is not expected to be ready until the end of the year. Commissioner Scott North emphasized that while the county works on its ordinance, local townships and boroughs, which hold dominant land use authority in Pennsylvania, must take immediate action.

The proposed data center plans to draw water from the Brookville Municipal Authority reservoir on North Fork Creek. In response to these concerns, the Brookville Borough Council adopted a 180-day moratorium on data center development at its June meeting. Residents, including Karen Reed of Brookville, expressed a desire for responsible data center development, highlighting environmental issues such as the impact of impervious surfaces on rainwater runoff. The Jefferson County Commissioners plan to hold an open work session to discuss the draft SALDO, with no date yet announced.