Harrisburg, PA — Yesterday, Representative Paul Friel announced an intent to file legislation to allow municipalities to pass an optional, temporary 180 day data center moratorium — a right they already possess through the Municipalities Planning Code. 

The call comes nearly two months after Senator Katie Muth announced intent to file a 3-year comprehensive statewide data center moratorium. Developers have submitted proposals for at least 23 hyper-scale data centers in Pennsylvania, to robust public opposition.

In response, Food & Water Watch Senior Pennsylvania Organizer Ginny Marcille-Kerslake, issued the following statement: 

“Communities are overwhelmed by Big Tech’s AI data center push. They need real support from the state, not this half-baked optional pause. Pennsylvania needs a statewide data center moratorium — Senator Katie Muth’s three-year pause will get us there.

“No one knows the full impact this hyperscale data center push will bring, but early warning signs spell trouble. The legislature must proactively protect Pennsylvanians and the environment by pausing development now so local government and state agencies can evaluate the impacts and update their regulations — something that should have been done before this data center rush began.”

Last month, Food & Water Watch released a first-of-its-kind report detailing the harms of the AI and data center boom infiltrating communities around the country. In October, Food & Water Watch became the first national group to call for a data center moratorium. Over 250 organizations have since joined the call — including 17 from Pennsylvania.