With the influx of data centers being proposed across Pennsylvania, including one in South Annville Township, I have heard from many constituents who are concerned about the impact this new industry could have on their communities.
While municipalities are responsible for local land-use decisions, many have struggled to fully understand the environmental and community impacts of data centers and to revise their zoning ordinances quickly enough to address growing interest from developers.
That is why I am partnering with my colleague Senator Coleman and co-sponsoring legislation to give municipalities the option to place a moratorium on data center applications. This would allow local governments, if they choose, the time to review and update their ordinances and establish conditional-use policies that address concerns such as power supply, water consumption, noise, and setbacks in a way that best protects their communities.
Creating a generic statewide law governing data center land use will not be beneficial to Pennsylvania as a whole. What is appropriate for a county like Montgomery may not be suitable for a county like Bradford. Local officials are better positioned to understand the local needs, priorities, and impacts within their own communities, which is why these decisions are most effective when made at the local level.
Passing this bill will allow local leaders the time to thoroughly evaluate and hold any proposed data center development accountable. This includes minimum requirements like ensuring that facilities implement a closed loop water system for cooling to protect local water sources, exploring options for generating their own power and requiring developers to make financial contributions that support the broader electrical grid to benefit the entire community.
Additionally, communities should carefully consider the long-term implications of converting productive farmland for data center use. Once farmland is lost, it cannot be restored, and the decision carries lasting consequences. This is vital when we look at national security concerns. We are blessed in this country to have food independence, meaning we produce more food than we need. If we do not strategically protect our farmland we one day could find ourselves in a situation where we are dependent on foreign countries to put food on our tables.
I am also co-sponsoring legislation to eliminate the Computer Data Center Equipment Exemption Program. Instead of continuing to provide a special tax incentive to the already-thriving data center industry, this bill would direct that revenue to the Motor License Fund for the sole purpose of reducing the Oil Company Franchise Tax, which adds about 58 cents to every gallon of gas.
As we are still learning about any possible long-term effects from these facilities being built in the Commonwealth, I look forward to working with Senator Coleman to draft the language of these bills to empower our local leaders to make smart decisions when it comes to Data Centers.