PA leader explores zoning codes to address data center expansion

In Lancaster County, the Data Center Proposal Tracker lists both the Windstream Ephrata Data Center and Luman Lancaster 1 as active. Meanwhile, the CoreWeaver Lancaster AI Campus is currently under construction on a 144-acre site, with a planned capacity of 300 MW. (Adobe Stock)

By Public News Service

April 17, 2026

By Danielle Smith

As the data-center boom continues across Pennsylvania, local leaders are rushing to manage the growth and protect their communities. A mapping tool shows that Pennsylvania has 108 existing data centers and 66 proposed projects.

In Manheim Township, Commissioner Jeremy Zimmerman is among those taking a creative approach. Rather than considering a ban on data centers, he’s working on new zoning definitions to help towns steer the construction of these massive facilities.

“What we’re really taking the time to work on right now is being careful and deliberate about how we define a data center,” he said, “because that’s really going to be the key on how these end up getting regulated at the local level.”

Meanwhile, this week, the Pennsylvania House approved two data-center bills. House Bill 2150 requires data-center operators to report energy and water use. House Bill 2151 calls for an optional model zoning ordinance to help localities handle siting, noise and infrastructure issues. Both bills move to the state Senate.

In Pennsylvania, Zimmerman said, local governments can’t ban data centers outright or create rules so strict that they effectively block them. He said that approach is illegal, so communities must instead decide where these facilities can operate with the least impact. He said officials are focusing on existing industrial zones and considering factors such as noise to better manage development while protecting residents.

“There’s a lot of concerns about sound, a lot of concerns about the utilities like water and energy,” he said, “and that can be a zoning issue too, because they’re going to want to be located near where high transmission already exists, where adequate water supply already exists.”

Zimmerman noted that data centers create relatively few jobs for the land they use. A typical facility employs about 100 workers, far fewer than a factory, although many are high-paying engineering positions. He added that data centers can attract other tech companies and help local businesses by providing better data access and reliability.

“While most new development is driven by artificial intelligence, not all of it is,” he said. “Some also support local business needs.”