The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Coal Township
Anti-Data Center Policies
Pennsylvania requires data centers over 25 MW to obtain local approvals, secure power for their full demand, cover project-related grid costs, and meet added community, jobs, environmental, and reporting obligations. These rules may raise costs and delay or prevent covered projects, but do not ban them.
Rating and summary from Pennsylvania statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Coal Township.
pending · Coal TownshipWould regulate the development, construction, operation, and decommissioning of data centers, but had not been reported as adopted after the Board unanimously authorized advertisement of the proposal on August 6, 2026 (authorized advertisement of the Data Center Ordinance).Coal Township Data Center Ordinance (2026)
What this means
The proposed rules would require a 100-foot setback from homes, limit buildings to 200 feet, and require closed-loop cooling, which could raise costs or limit project designs. They would not ban data centers or control where they can locate, so the overall effect is a meaningful but not severe barrier.
People behind it
- Coal Township Board of Commissioners
Unanimously agreed to advertise the proposed ordinance and will consider its adoption.
- Zalar
Moved the motion to authorize the Data Center Ordinance.
- Clausi
Seconded the motion to authorize the Data Center Ordinance.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements9
Data centers must be set back at least 100 feet from the boundaries of residential properties.
Data centers may not exceed 100 feet in height.
Data centers must comply with noise and vibration limits.
Data centers must provide required landscaping buffers.
Data centers must comply with requirements governing the use of public or nonpublic water sources.
Data centers must use closed-loop cooling systems for server racks and IT equipment. Open evaporative cooling towers are prohibited unless the applicant demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that closed-loop technology is infeasible.
Data centers must meet parking and lighting requirements.
Data centers must prepare a decommissioning plan.
Data centers must prepare an emergency-response plan.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions4
The ordinance establishes rules governing the development, construction, operation, and decommissioning of data centers.
Data centers are not limited to a specific zoning district or restricted to particular locations within the township.
Data centers may use either public or nonpublic water sources, subject to the ordinance’s other requirements.
Evaporative cooling towers are permitted when the applicant demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that closed-loop cooling is infeasible.
Sources
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