The 1960s blueprint for fighting against data centers

Residents of Upper Merion Township mounted a successful campaign against the construction of five proposed data centers by MLP Ventures in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Despite the developer, Brian J. O’Neill, stating the plans were code-compliant and required no rezoning or variances, a robust public opposition, including a petition signed by approximately 18,000 residents, led the township Board of Supervisors to reject the project in August. O’Neill has indicated he will appeal the decision, alleging the board violated state and local planning codes.

This local conflict is indicative of a wider national trend of communities and politicians pushing back against data center proliferation. Governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania have recently imposed limits on data center construction, and numerous states and counties across the United States have enacted moratoriums. The article draws historical parallels to the 1950s and 1960s in California, where residents of Palo Alto organized against high-tech industrial parks. While a referendum to halt the Ampex Corporation's proposed campus at Stanford Industrial Park narrowly failed, the sustained opposition ultimately led Ampex to build elsewhere and fostered enduring community organizing networks.

Today's opposition is fueled by similar concerns over environmental impact, increased traffic, water consumption, and electricity demands, which residents believe outweigh the promised economic benefits and job creation. Federally, Representative Ro Khanna has introduced a "Data Center Bill of Rights" aimed at establishing zoning restrictions, requiring independent environmental and economic impact studies, and protecting residents from higher utility costs. The historical perspective suggests that while immediate battles may not always result in a definitive project halt, persistent opposition can deter developers and establish powerful community frameworks for future development decisions.