HARRISBURG – Sen. Jarrett Coleman’s (R-16) legislation allowing municipalities to place a moratorium on data center development applications, Senate Bill 1345, advanced out of the Senate Local Government Committee today.
“I hear from my constituents almost every day about their concerns with data center projects,” said Coleman. “My legislation empowers local communities to push the pause button on data centers in order to regulate these projects on their own terms.”
Senate Bill 1345 would give municipalities the option of placing an 18-month moratorium on both unapproved and new data center applications so they can revise zoning ordinances and establish policies addressing issues like power supply, water consumption, noise and setbacks which they determine protect the community’s interests.
Currently, municipalities, which decide local land use policies, are struggling to fully understand the complex environmental and community impacts of this new industry while also reviewing and revising their zoning ordinances to keep up with the influx of interest from data center developers. The optional moratorium in Senate Bill 1345 and would help alleviate this problem.
“We have a chance to get this right, and my legislation will give our communities the breathing room they need to do it,” said Coleman.
Coleman has been a vocal opponent of the expedited approval of data centers, seeking instead to find a balance between enhancing the state’s technological footprint and ensuring the safety and well-being of Pennsylvania communities.