A Lehigh County state senator is proposing two new pieces of legislation that would push back against data centers.
This comes as opposition to a data center in South Whitehall Township, and is gaining support by the thousands. Right across from Parkland High School sits the largest undeveloped piece of land in all of South Whitehall. A proposal from the company CDE Acquisitions, LLC would turn it into Atlas, a more than 5 million square foot data center.
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A petition on Change.org has gathered more than 3,000 signatures opposing the project, and State Sen. Jarrett Coleman said it’s not a done deal.
“There’s also a false premise that’s kind of spreading that oh, these data centers are coming, and there’s nothing that can be done to stop them. That’s untrue,” said Coleman.
Coleman said he’s got two ideas that would make those projects more difficult to build. The first is to take away tax breaks, and use that money to reduce the gas tax.
“We would reduce the cost of gas, and stop giving these corporations this huge tax break,” said Coleman.
His second idea is to give Townships more power to pause data centers if they need more time to review them.
“Placing a moratorium would actually also allow the locals more time to see if their ordinances are up to snuff, and understand if this is something they want,” said Coleman.
Coleman said a moratorium on a Township level is the best approach, instead of a statewide moratorium like other legislators have proposed. That’s because some localities actually want data centers, like Allen Township, which just unanimously approved a data center last month, talking about the jobs it would bring.
“That’s a diesel technician who is working on that facility, and working through all those pieces of equipment on a regular basis. That’s a good-paying job and a skilled trade that is going to be created,” said someone on the audio recording of the March 24th Township Supervisors meeting.
Allen Township Supervisors also argued in that meeting that data centers produce less traffic than warehouses. Whatever your stance, Coleman said you should speak up.
“To every constituent out there that’s concerned about data centers, talk to your representatives,” said Coleman.
Coleman isn’t the only legislator targeting data centers. Another bill just passed the State House last week that would require data centers to pay for the electric grid upgrades they need, instead of jacking up your bill. Coleman said he’s still seeking co-sponsors before he brings his bills to committee.