Upper Burrell puts temporary pause on new data center developments

Upper Burrell Township supervisors have enacted a 180-day moratorium on new data center developments. The temporary pause allows the township to draft a comprehensive ordinance to regulate future projects and protect the community. The moratorium, which went into effect recently, will not apply to the ongoing work by data center developer TECFusions, which is adapting a former Alcoa/Arconic technology center for AI computing needs. However, TECFusions will be prohibited from expanding its operations outside the existing building during this period. Township Supervisor Scott Brown stated the moratorium was essential to "protect the township" and ensure a robust ordinance is in place, applicable to all potential data center developers, not just TECFusions. The decision comes after a public town hall where residents from Upper Burrell and neighboring municipalities voiced significant concerns about the TECFusions project, citing potential environmental pollution, health risks, noise, and energy consumption. TECFusions founder Simon Tusha previously asserted at the town hall that the project would not harm the environment or health and would instead boost the local tax base. Township Supervisor Chairman Ross Walker indicated that progress on the new ordinance is "coalescing into something that's going to be a good protection for the township." TECFusions did not comment on the moratorium.