Pennsylvania House Committee Hears Testimony on Data Center Bill

Boroughs support model ordinance, but townships say it's too late to help

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A Pennsylvania House bill calling for a model ordinance for data centers drew support from the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs, but the Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors said the proposal has been made too late to be helpful. The bill would instruct the state's Center for Local Government Services to add optional regulations for data centers to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, addressing issues like distance from residences, size limits, and emergency response plans. While boroughs supported the idea, townships said they have already been updating their own ordinances to address data centers.

Why it matters

The bill highlights the challenges municipalities in Pennsylvania are facing as they try to balance economic development from data centers with concerns from residents about issues like noise, size, and proximity. Some townships have already taken matters into their own hands, updating zoning and land use rules, while the state is now proposing a model ordinance that may come too late to be useful.

The details

House Bill 2151 would require the state's Center for Local Government Services to create a model ordinance for data centers that municipalities could choose to adopt. The model would address issues like the distance between data centers and residences, limits on the size and height of data centers, and requirements for data centers to have plans for water, sewage, electricity, and emergency response. While the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs supported the idea, saying boroughs are already considering these topics, the Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors said townships have already been updating their own ordinances and don't believe the state legislation is necessary anymore.

  • The House Energy Committee heard testimony on the bill on February 2, 2026.
  • The Center for Local Government Services would have 6 months to prepare the model ordinance if the bill becomes law.

The players

Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs

A group representing borough governments in Pennsylvania that supported the data center bill, saying boroughs are already considering the types of regulations the model ordinance would address.

Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors

A group representing township governments in Pennsylvania that opposed the data center bill, saying townships have already been updating their own ordinances and don't believe the state legislation is necessary anymore.

House Bill 2151

A Pennsylvania state bill that would instruct the Center for Local Government Services to create a model ordinance for data centers that municipalities could choose to adopt.

Center for Local Government Services

A state agency that would be tasked with creating the model data center ordinance if the bill becomes law.

Rep. Martin Causer

The Republican minority chair of the House Energy Committee, who expressed concerns during the hearing about a one-size-fits-all model ordinance given Pennsylvania's diversity.

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What they’re saying

“We do not believe the legislation is necessary any longer. Perhaps a year ago, it would have been a different answer.”

— Holly Fishel, Policy research director, Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors

“Focus on solutions that balance responsible economic growth and development while addressing local considerations and mitigating concerns.”

— Dan Diorio, Data Center Coalition

“Nothing could be further from the truth.”

— Michael Reich, Supervisor, Butler Township

What’s next

If the bill becomes law, the Center for Local Government Services would have six months to prepare the model data center ordinance.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the challenges municipalities face in balancing economic development from data centers with concerns from residents. While some townships have already updated their own rules, the state's proposed model ordinance may come too late to be truly helpful, underscoring the need for flexible, locally-tailored solutions.