Email Upper Hanover local Govt:
info@upperhanovertownship.org
Email East Greenville PA Representatives:
Mmackenzie@pahousegop.com
tpennycuick@pasen.gov
——————————————-
I am a resident of Upper Hanover Township in your 24th Senatorial District and am writing to notify you of a concerning data center proposal recently submitted to the Township. I respectfully request your assistance in opposing or significantly strengthening oversight of this project to protect our community, local infrastructure, and residents.
Project Details:
• Location: Along Gravel Pike (S.R. 0029) in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County.
• Proposal: A 150,000 square foot Major Data Center (per the attached sketch plan dated June 8, 2026, prepared by Horizon Engineering).
• Status: Early sketch/conditional use stage under the Township’s newly adopted Ordinance No. 2026-04 (adopted June 9, 2026), which permits data centers only by conditional use in the OS District and imposes extensive requirements on noise, water usage, energy, setbacks, aesthetics, and more.
Key Concerns:
• Noise and Quality of Life: Data centers generate constant low-frequency noise from cooling systems and generators. The ordinance requires strict noise studies (40–45 dB(A) limits), but compliance is often challenging and enforcement difficult. Nearby residential zoning (R1) and sensitive receptors make this a major issue.
• Water and Energy Strain: The project will demand significant water for cooling and massive electricity, potentially impacting local wells, streams, and the regional grid. The ordinance mandates detailed feasibility studies, but broader regional impacts need attention.
• Community Impacts: Increased traffic on Gravel Pike, visual/aesthetic degradation, limited job creation relative to burdens on emergency services and infrastructure, and potential declines in nearby property values.
• Precedent: This could open the door to additional facilities, overwhelming our small township despite the new protective ordinance.
Upper Hanover Township has worked hard to craft a strong local ordinance, but your support is crucial for issues involving energy policy, environmental protection, utility infrastructure, and cumulative impacts across municipalities. I ask that you:
1. Review the proposal and consider voicing opposition or requesting additional state agency scrutiny (e.g., PA DEP, PUC).
2. Support legislation that strengthens local control over data centers or imposes statewide standards for noise, water use, and renewables.
3. Assist residents by attending or speaking at upcoming public hearings if possible, or by helping coordinate expert input.
Thank you for your service and for standing up for residents in your District. Please let me know how your office can help or if you need any further information.
Additional information on the Township, Ordinance, and Datacenter Application can be found here - https://upperhanovertownship.org/news_detail_T14_R89.php
Sincerely,
noupdatacenters 