Muddy Creek Township to draft data center ordinance
Muddy Creek Township's board of supervisors voted to authorize the drafting of a detailed ordinance to regulate future data center developments. This decision comes as other Butler County municipalities also address data center growth and following a state executive order requiring local approvals prior to state permits.
The Muddy Creek Township board of supervisors voted during its monthly meeting on September 16 to authorize the drafting of a detailed ordinance addressing future data center developments. Township solicitor Tom Smith stated the ordinance would be about 20 pages long, focusing on restrictions for data centers within the township.
Smith indicated that discussions about such an ordinance have been ongoing for approximately six months. His recommendation to proceed with the drafting was influenced by Gov. Josh Shapiro's recent executive order. This order removes data center proposals from the Permit Fast Track Program and requires all developers to comply with the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development program, stipulating that local approvals must be secured before the state can issue any permits. Supervisor Rick Saunders confirmed that no data center development proposals have been submitted for Muddy Creek Township to date.
This move by Muddy Creek Township follows similar actions taken by other municipalities within Butler County.