On Wednesday the Pennsylvania House voted to give municipalities the option to place a 180-day pause on all data center applications almost unanimously.
All across the Commonwealth, our communities are experiencing a tremendous increase in data center proposals. Due to this recent influx, many municipalities are finding themselves playing catch up- rushing to develop data center ordinances, managing conditional use hearings, and generally trying to protect their community in this new context- while lacking the information and resources needed to do so, officials said.
House Bill 2496 would create a window of time for local officials to thoroughly research and better consider what is in the best interests of their communities.
“We believe that local government officials need the provision of time right now- time to develop zoning ordinances that ensure the safety for their communities and the general appropriateness of any data center that could be built there. With that in mind, we will be introducing legislation that allows municipalities the option to put a 180 day pause on all data center applications while they develop the proper ordinances and protections for their community. This window of time will provide some breathing room for local officials, allowing for thorough research, consideration, and decision making,” said the bills prime sponsor, state Representative Paul Friel
The Democratic leadership of Bensalem Township Council, enacted a similar if not exact, proposal, earlier this month in order to get ahead on how to address the ever increasing and growing concerns about AI Data Centers seeking to court the municipality for land development approvals on any future projects.
Republican state Rep Eric Nelson who serves part of Westmoreland County was the lone dissenting vote
The measure is now in the state Senate for consideration.
Paula1836
June 26, 2026 at 10:33 am
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