Brookville council approves 180-day moratorium on data centers, water use
Brookville Borough Council in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, has enacted a 180-day moratorium on data center development, which also prohibits the use of borough water resources for these facilities. The decision follows concerns about two potential data center projects that could require over 1.2 million gallons of water per day. This pause will allow officials to study the potential impact on the local water system and ensure resident needs are protected.
Brookville Borough Council in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, has enacted a 180-day moratorium on new data center development, specifically prohibiting their use of borough water resources. This decision comes amidst growing statewide controversy over data center impacts and local concerns regarding two potential projects in Pine Creek and Rose townships.
Officials expressed concern that each prospective facility could demand over 1.2 million gallons of water daily, prompting the council to act. The six-month pause is intended to allow time for thorough study into the potential strain on the local water system and to safeguard residents' water supply.
Randy Bartley, second vice president of the Brookville Borough Council, highlighted a "black hole" in current county ordinances, noting that without subdivision regulations, data center developers wouldn't need to file plans with the county, circumventing local oversight. As of now, no formal plans for the aforementioned data center projects have been submitted.