Cecil supervisors discuss data center ordinance
Cecil Township supervisors and residents expressed support for proactive regulation of data centers during a meeting last week.
Supervisor Cindy Fisher emphasized that while the township has not received any applications for data center projects, the board believes it is imperative to take steps to “protect our residents” ahead of any future data center development.
Data centers have been top of mind for municipalities across Washington County in recent months as several companies have expressed interest in bringing the high-tech industry to rural Southwestern Pennsylvania.
“No Data Centers” signs are a common sight across nearby South Strabane Township following rumors of a potential project on Zediker Station Road.
Fisher said the board cannot outright ban data center projects within the township, but it can pass an ordinance to regulate any potential development.
Township Solicitor Gretchen Moore said the board is seeking public input on the best way to implement data center regulations, which may draw inspiration from a model ordinance published by the environmental advocacy group PennFuture.
According to Township Engineer Dan Deisseroth, any potential data center ordinance should include a portion limiting noise pollution from the site.
Supervisor Vice Chairman Tom Casciola said some data centers generate a large quantity of waste products, particularly during annual maintenance of water cooling systems, so the increased capacity requirements on local landfills should also be a factor.
More than 20 Cecil residents attended Monday’s meeting, with many expressing support for the proactive action taken by the board.
Carmen Pickford said vibrations from data center projects could be a concern since the township has several abandoned coal mines, which could collapse or create sinkholes due to repeated exposure to vibrations.
According to resident Michelle Sondar, whose husband works on data centers in the Washington, D.C., area, data center applications should include a range of preliminary studies on how the potential project will impact local water and electric utility bills.
Sondar said her husband asked her to tell the board about his concerns since he was unable to attend the meeting himself.
Data centers can present a large target for potential arson or terrorist attacks, Sondar said, so any ordinance should include secure access restrictions to ensure nefarious actors cannot trespass on the property.
Sondar said any company that operates a data center within the township should be compelled to produce regular, publicly available reports on potential water, noise and air pollution generated by the project, and that these reports should be compared to a baseline report created before the data center is brought on-line.
Several residents expressed support for strict regulations on the size and environmental impact of these centers.
Fisher thanked the public for their participation and input, saying the board will review the feedback and will move forward on generating a draft ordinance with Moore.