Why did Montour County deny Talen Energy's rezoning request for data centers?

The Montour County commissioners denied Talen Energy's rezoning request due to opposition from local residents concerned about increased power bills and environmental damage.

What are the concerns driving local opposition to data center development?

Local residents are concerned that data center projects could lead to higher electricity bills and negatively impact the environment.

Is this a unique situation or part of a larger trend for data centers?

This denial is part of a growing trend of local opposition that is increasingly hampering the expansion of data centers, particularly those supporting AI technologies, across the United States.

Home / Business and Economy / PA Commission Denies Talen Energy Data Center

PA Commission Denies Talen Energy Data Center

11 Feb

•

Summary

Montour County denied Talen Energy's rezoning bid for data centers.
Residents worried about power bills and environmental impact.
This mirrors a growing trend of local opposition to AI infrastructure.

PA Commission Denies Talen Energy Data Center

In Montour County, Pennsylvania, a commission on Tuesday rejected Talen Energy's rezoning proposal for hundreds of acres intended for data center development. This decision marks a significant instance of local opposition affecting the expansion of server warehouses in the U.S. The rejection followed months of community objections from nearby residents citing worries over rising electricity costs and environmental degradation.

Talen Energy indicated its commitment to continuing the project, stating it would engage further with county leaders and residents to refine plans. This local resistance is increasingly challenging for the energy and Big Tech sectors, which are investing heavily in data centers to support artificial intelligence technologies.

Previously, companies like Microsoft and Meta have withdrawn projects due to similar community pushback. The Pennsylvania rezoning was anticipated to support Amazon data centers through a co-location arrangement near Talen's natural gas power plant. Talen already supplies power to an Amazon data center elsewhere in Pennsylvania.