Data centers discussed at boroughs association meeting

The Lawrence County Boroughs Association held its bi-annual meeting to discuss data centers and their regulation, with representatives from five of the nine county boroughs attending. Wendy Nickerson, Director of Governance Research and Outreach Training for the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, advised that while municipalities cannot outright ban data centers, they can regulate their placement through zoning, preferably by classifying them as conditional uses requiring official hearings. She cautioned against overly restrictive ordinances, which could face legal challenges, and presented officials with ordinance guides and samples from other Pennsylvania counties and cities. New Beaver Councilman David Badger confirmed his borough is developing a 20-page data center ordinance, similar to those recently passed in North Beaver and Mahoning townships, addressing concerns about power consumption and noise. The PSAB plans to recommend that the state General Assembly ensure data center companies adhere to municipal ordinances. Nickerson noted proposed state legislation, House Bill 1834, aims to establish statewide data center regulations and clean energy standards through the Public Utility Commission, while House Bill 2151 would create a state model ordinance for municipalities. Diane Richardson, New Wilmington Councilwoman and assistant director for economic development for Forward Lawrence, sought to dispel misconceptions, suggesting data centers could provide their own power and use closed-loop water systems. She indicated that New Beaver is the only borough in Lawrence County with sufficient industrial land for a data center. Ellwood City Councilwoman Jan Williams highlighted that her borough had to raise electric rates this year due to general concerns about data center power usage in the area. Proposed data centers in Springdale Borough in Allegheny County and Shippingport Borough in Beaver County were also mentioned.