Fighting data centers at West Whiteland rally
A rally in West Whiteland Township brought residents and elected officials together to oppose large hyperscale data centers and call for stricter controls. State Sen. Katie Muth urged a three-year statewide construction moratorium, while township officials described a local hold on data center development and proposed tighter zoning requirements.
Speakers at a West Whiteland rally urged residents to oppose hyperscale data centers and become more active in local and state politics. State Sen. Katie Muth called for a three-year Pennsylvania moratorium on new data center construction, citing public safety, emergency response, public health, and clean air and water concerns.
West Whiteland Township Supervisor Libby Madarasz said public opposition led a data center builder to withdraw a request to build in the township. She also said the township approved a curative amendment placing a hold on data center development while zoning is revised to limit facilities to heavy industrial areas, require conditional-use approval, and impose larger setbacks from homes, schools, and churches.