The debate over a proposed AI data center in Conshohocken is heating up again, where residents are now calling for a moratorium on future projects, according to Abby Weiss for Chestnut Hill Local.
Last fall, developer Brian O’Neill withdrew plans for a 2 million-square-foot data center at a former steel mill site after a legal issue tied to the property sale. The zoning board had previously denied a special exception request, but many residents believe the proposal, and others like it, could return.
Now, a local petition is urging township officials to pause data center approvals while new zoning regulations are crafted. Supporters argue municipalities are unprepared for the environmental, infrastructure and quality-of-life impacts these facilities may bring, including water use, noise and rising energy costs tied to PJM Interconnection.
The issue extends beyond Montco. Governor Josh Shapiro has championed AI investment statewide while proposing standards aimed at energy affordability and environmental protection. Meanwhile, lawmakers, including Senator Maria Collett, have acknowledged constituent concerns about transparency and local impact.
As southeastern Pennsylvania becomes increasingly attractive to data center developers, Plymouth Township now finds itself at the center of a broader conversation: how to balance economic opportunity with environmental safeguards and community trust.
Read more about the latest development in the data center saga in Chestnut Hill Local.
