Lower Merion Seeks To Regulate Data Centers

LOWER MERION, PA — As data centers become more prevalent, Lower Merion is seeking to regulate them.

Pennsylvania has become a hub for data centers, with Data Center Tracker showing 100 current or future facilities in the state. With the recent surge, many cities and towns across Pennsylvania are seeking to update their zoning codes to limit the size, location and adverse impacts of data centers.

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Lower Merion Township is considering an ordinance that would restrict data centers to the Light Industrial District, which sits between the Schuylkill Expressway and River in the southeast corner of town.

The ordinance would also regulate energy and water usage, noise and height limitations, among other restrictions, for any proposed data center in Lower Merion.

As AI-powered technology evolves, data centers have been popping up to meet the growing demands to "train" the software. These developments have often met backlash from members of the public concerned about the noise, pollution, and impacts on the electrical grid and water supply associated with the larger developments.

Since data centers are a legal business, local governments in Pennsylvania can't outright ban them. But cities and towns can impose parameters for proposed data centers that come about.

In April, Montgomery and Chester counties published recommendations for these local restrictions.

On Monday, the Lower Merion Planning Commission is set to consider recommending an ordinance that regulates data centers. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Here's the agenda.

The Planning Commission is an advisory body that sends recommendations on land use and development to the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners.