Granville officials review data center ordinance before packed crowd

Granville Township officials in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, held a special supervisors meeting at the Granville Fire Company Event Center to discuss a proposed ordinance regulating potential data center development, drawing an estimated 300 residents. Township solicitor Fred Lighty presented a draft ordinance designed to address concerns such as water use, noise, energy demand, environmental impacts, emergency services, and public participation.

The proposed ordinance would classify data centers as a conditional use, granting the township the authority to impose additional requirements. Key provisions include mandating developers to prove water use will not harm nearby wells or groundwater, prohibiting groundwater use if public water is available, and regulating wastewater discharge. Environmental safeguards also cover noise, with strict caps of 40 decibels at night and 45 during the day, requirements for thermal impact mitigation plans, and a 400-foot setback from "sensitive receptors" like homes and schools. Energy use is another major focus, requiring detailed energy plans, efficiency reporting, and ensuring data centers cover their full electricity costs.

Residents raised numerous concerns throughout the meeting, particularly regarding water use, wastewater treatment, and potential pollution. Lighty acknowledged that technical details from developers are still pending. The ordinance also includes provisions for electronic waste management, emergency response planning, fire safety, and a decommissioning requirement backed by financial assurance. The draft will now be refined based on public feedback before beginning a formal 30-day review period, followed by a public hearing and a potential vote on its adoption.