Data centers, property taxes, and housing highlight 101st District town hall meeting
State Rep. John Schlegel discussed data centers at a town hall meeting in Lebanon County, emphasizing that decisions on their location should be made by local officials and residents. He highlighted the potential for data centers to generate revenue and stabilize electricity costs, while also mentioning a proposal in Harrisburg to grant municipalities the flexibility to enact moratoriums on data center development.
State Rep. John Schlegel (R-101st) held a town hall meeting in his district, which covers Lebanon city and several townships within Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where data centers were a prominent topic among other issues like property taxes and housing.
Schlegel asserted that decisions regarding the placement of data centers should rest with local officials and residents, referencing a recently opposed $1.7 billion project in South Annville Township as an example where local opposition led to the project not moving forward. He also noted a proposal in the Pennsylvania House to allow municipalities the option to implement moratoriums on data center construction, providing local flexibility.
While cautioning that his comments were not an endorsement, Schlegel mentioned the potential economic benefits data centers could offer, such as contributing to property tax stabilization or generating more electricity, which could help lower energy costs for communities. He reiterated that the ultimate decision to attract or permit data centers remains a local one.