In Upper Burrell, where fracking and AI industries converge, residents look to regulate data centers
Upper Burrell Township residents are opposing TECfusions’ proposed AI data center at a former Alcoa research site, citing concerns about noise, water use, electricity demand, and local impacts. Township supervisors enacted a six-month data center moratorium and are developing an ordinance with setbacks, power, fire protection, water, noise, and screening requirements.
Residents of Upper Burrell Township, Pennsylvania, are organizing against TECfusions’ proposed data center at a 1,400-acre former Alcoa research and development site. The company says the facility could ultimately consume 3 gigawatts of electricity and operate with its own natural-gas power plant. Residents raised concerns about noise, water consumption, electricity rates, environmental impacts, and the project’s limited employment benefits compared with Alcoa’s former operations.
The Upper Burrell supervisors enacted a six-month moratorium in May and are drafting an ordinance ahead of a Nov. 2 deadline. The proposed rules would require setbacks from property lines and residential areas, on-site power, and standards for fire protection, water use, noise, lighting, and visual screening. Environmental group Protect PT is appealing the municipality’s decision to allow the project under the existing zoning code, while township officials say they plan to negotiate a community benefits agreement but cannot legally ban the facility.