Allentown, Lehigh County, PA — Yesterday evening, the Allentown City Council passed zoning text amendments to restrict data centers. Among Allentown’s new amendments are restricting data centers to the industrial manufacturing district; expanding setbacks from 200 feet to 500; adding decommissioning standards; and provisions to address noise pollution.

This news comes just weeks after data center developers behind a widely opposed project on Emaus Ave withdrew their application. The developers are expected to resubmit a revised project proposal.

Allentown is the latest Pennsylvania municipality to restrict data centers, amidst calls for a statewide moratorium. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Shapiro has only opted to include self-reporting on data center’s water and electricity use in the 2026-2027 Pennsylvania state budget, despite acknowledging residents’ concerns over higher electricity bills, environmental impact, quality of life, and more. 

In response, Deena Stoudt, Lehigh Valley Organizer with Food & Water Watch, issued the following statement:

“The Allentown City Council showed up for residents today while those in Harrisburg continue to ignore communities’ cries. Today’s data center zoning amendments are a positive step forward, what those in the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania need is a mandatory data center moratorium. 

“We’ve seen what a lack of adequate regulations threatens— hyperscale AI data centers across the street from high schools, childcare centers, and people’s homes. No one deserves to live in an industrial park, yet that’s what Governor Shapiro is allowing to happen. That’s why we need a mandatory statewide data center moratorium now!” 

A recent Food & Water Watch report lays out the wide range of harms and hazards associated with the sudden explosion of the data center industry in the United States, including: 

• Annual water usage equivalent to 18.5 million households by 2028; annual electricity usage equivalent to 55 million households by 2028.
• Dangerous new demand for fossil fuels, posing heightened risks of air and water pollution for impacted communities and a grave threat to our global climate.
• A host of other societal threats, from national economic catastrophe, to loss of critical farmland, to unrelenting noise pollution, to threats to children and democracy.