East Vincent Township, PA — Yesterday evening, in response to widespread community opposition, the East Vincent Township Board of Supervisors unanimously denied Pennhurst Holdings LLC a conditional use application for its proposed 1.9 million square foot data center project. The project was proposed at the former Pennhurst property near the Schuylkill River, as well as nearby homes and the Southeastern Veterans Center.

The decision follows the township Planning Commission’s recommendation against the project in February and months of public opposition from East Vincent residents, nearby communities, and environmental advocates.

East Vincent now joins an increasing list of Pennsylvania municipalities to reject data center proposals in response to widespread community opposition. Eastern Pennsylvania has been a hotbed for data center proposals and opposition. Earlier this month, after community outcry, a developer withdrew an application for an expanded data center in nearby East Whiteland.

In response, Food & Water Watch Pennsylvania State Director Megan McDonough issued the following statement:

“Pennsylvania communities are shutting data center projects down in stunning fashion. East Vincent’s decision is a reflection of the will of the people, including the veterans, residents, neighbors, and families who showed up and stood strong in the face of a massive corporate proposal that never belonged next to homes and a state veterans facility in the first place.

“Residents are doing what state leaders have so far refused to do. East Vincent’s vote should send a message to Governor Shapiro and state lawmakers in Harrisburg that local governments and residents are on the frontlines of this fight pushing back against corporate interests. It’s time for state leaders to show up and do the same — we need a data center moratorium, now.”

Senator Katie Muth, whose district includes East Vincent, has announced plans to file a three-year data center moratorium bill. 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.