Data centers are eyeing the collar counties. They’re drawing pushback from residents across the region.

In Pennsylvania's collar counties, communities are increasingly pushing back against proposed data center developments, highlighting the challenges of balancing state economic initiatives with local control and resident concerns. The Spring City Borough Council, for instance, took a firm stance against a data center slated for the historic Pennhurst site in neighboring East Vincent Township, even though the decision rested with East Vincent's supervisors. This situation exemplifies a growing regional trend, with at least 55 proposed data center projects statewide and a concentration in the Philadelphia region. Residents across these areas, including Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks Counties, express significant worries about the strain on the power grid, water supplies, and potential health and environmental impacts. Despite developers' assurances that projects would clean up previously contaminated industrial sites, opposition remains strong. In North Coventry, active community pushback prompted the township's board of supervisors to reject a proposed "boutique" data center before its formal submission. John Binelli, an organizer in East Vincent, describes feeling "surrounded" by projects, while Ginny Marcille-Kerslake of Food and Water Watch notes the unprecedented motivation among residents. The state's emphasis on local control has created a fragmented response landscape. Amy Sturges, deputy executive director of advocacy for the Pennsylvania Municipal League, explains that municipalities must update zoning ordinances to regulate data centers effectively, as they cannot outright prohibit a land use. East Vincent Township faced this issue when its attempt to impose a new, restrictive ordinance on an existing proposal failed. Cumberland County, under planning director Kirk Stoner, is proactively assisting its municipalities in drafting tailored ordinances. State lawmakers are now crafting bills to provide more comprehensive guidance. One proposal aims to direct the Department of Community and Economic Development to create a model ordinance, while another seeks to empower neighboring communities in development decisions. Significantly, State Senator Katie Muth plans to introduce a bill for a three-year moratorium on hyperscale data center development, arguing for more time for local officials to understand impacts and update regulations. Concurrently, Chester and Montgomery Counties are collaborating on model guidance for data center development.