Michael Sauers

September 6, 2026

The article was interesting. I would like to point out several key points that need emphasis.

A moratorium of at least 1-3 years is necessary. Why? It is going to take time to cut through all the conflicting information, effects and consequences of data centers. It will take time to listen to and process data from independent experts. It will take time to consider all the legal tools available to communities and what new ones can be developed. Etc.

Just as local and regional taxpayer funded and private, non-profit economic development agencies receive funding through federal appropriations, state budget allocations, local taxes and other revenue streams or act as conduits for taxpayer funded grants (PA SITES and PIDA loans) so should community governments and citizen groups looking to review economic development proposals. Another reason for a 1-3 year moratorium.

Local governments, state legislatures, and community organizers must assist communities in forming consensus based entities so that economic development like data centers can be considered by the community at large. We need to look at existing models (4) in Burlington, VT, Atlanta, Georgia, Portland, Oregon and our own Philadelphia, PA. This is another reason for a 1-3 year moratorium.

PA communities must have the absolute right and ability to say YES or NO to economic development proposals. This should be done by placing the proposal on the ballot. This may also require making amendments to the PA Constitution much like Article 1, Section 27 was added in 1971. This process took 2 years to accomplish. Changes may need to be made to the PA Municipality Planning Code, state regulations to land use and zoning. All doable within a 1-3 year moratorium.

There are additional issues but these constitute the major considerations.