Opposition evident at Franklin County meeting on data centers

Residents of Franklin County, Pennsylvania, expressed overwhelming opposition to the development of data centers at a recent public hearing. Nearly 100 individuals submitted comments to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners regarding a proposed ordinance designed to regulate data centers in municipalities lacking their own zoning rules. Concerns largely revolved around potential environmental degradation, health impacts, and the strain on local infrastructure. The proposed ordinance aims to establish requirements such as setbacks, noise level limits, and mandating on-site solar power to offset at least 25% of energy consumption, along with environmental impact studies. Commissioner Dean Horst clarified that the ordinance's goal is not to attract data centers but to implement protective measures proactively, akin to the county's approach to solar farms. However, Horst's suggestion to modify the solar requirement, fearing it might deter developers, drew criticism from some residents who view strict regulations as a means to prevent unwanted development. Public sentiment was strongly against data centers, with residents like Natasha DiStacio from Chambersburg arguing that data centers would extract more from the community than they would contribute, undermining the county's legacy. Hannah Cyr of Greene Township highlighted concerns about power grid strain, citing a high electric bill and attributing it to data centers in other states. Valerie Jordan of Fayetteville raised fears about water contamination, sharing a personal history of cancer linked to a contaminated well. A second public hearing is scheduled for April 28 in Chambersburg, where residents can continue to submit comments. Quentin Clapper, the county's planning director, stated that the ordinance intends to set "reasonable restrictions to mitigate impacts to public health, safety and welfare." Commissioners also encouraged residents to engage with their local municipal meetings, as ultimate decisions on data center projects would be made at that level.