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.
Springhill Township
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Anti-Data Center Policies
Springhill Township’s ordinance is labeled enacted, though its description says “if enacted”; it requires approval, large setbacks, plans for off-grid power and cooling water, and compliance with noise limits.
Rating from Pennsylvania statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Springhill Township.
current law · Springhill TownshipAdopts restrictions on data centers and associated fossil-fuel power facilities as part of a pair of measures, with the stated purpose of protecting residents’ health, safety, and welfare.Springhill Township Ordinance No. 2026-6 (2026)
What this means
If enacted, this would create significant barriers: data centers would need conditional-use approval in industrial zones, meet large setbacks, and explain how they would get off-grid power and cooling water (siting and project requirements). Noise limits add operating constraints, though the sources do not show an outright ban (noise limits).
Timing
- Ends
- six months after the township triggered the pause in June 2026
The moratorium was a temporary pause on data-center development used to enact new regulations. The sources do not provide an exact triggering date. A separate resolution temporarily prohibited applications until the township's next meeting; the adopted ordinances remain after the moratorium ends.
People behind it
- Springhill Township Board of Supervisors
Proposed, considered, and ultimately approved the data center and fossil-fuel power-generation ordinances.
- David D. Tamasy, Esquire
Township solicitor identified in the public notice and credited with reviewing comparable ordinances and drafting Springhill Township's version.
- James Tomasy
Township solicitor identified as explaining the drafting process for the proposed data center and power-plant ordinances.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements9
Data centers would be allowed only as a conditional use in the township’s heavy-industrial and light-industrial zoning districts, requiring conditional-use approval.
Data center buildings and equipment would have to be set back at least 200 feet from the property line.
Data center buildings and equipment could not be located within 400 feet of an occupied home.
Data center facilities would be subject to noise limits of 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night, measured at the property line nearest an affected home.
Data centers would be subject to sub-bass vibration limits of 65 decibels at 31.5 hertz and 60 decibels at 63 hertz.
Data center proposals would have to explain how the facility would provide its own off-grid energy.
Data center proposals would have to identify the source of water used for cooling.
A temporary resolution prohibited applications for data centers or power plants in the township until the board’s next meeting, scheduled for September 17, 2026.
The township used a six-month pause triggered by a proposed development to allow time to enact new data-center regulations.
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions1
Allows data centers and accompanying power plants as conditional uses in the township’s heavy-industrial and light-industrial zoning districts, creating a permitting pathway for projects in those districts.
Sources
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