Local, state groups hold town hall to plan advocacy for data center regulations

August 31, 2026 - 11:13

Dozens of residents packed the Boalsburg Fire Hall on Sunday afternoon for a town hall focused on building a coordinated advocacy effort around data center regulations in Centre County and statewide. The meeting, organized by a coalition of local and state groups, was less about airing complaints and more about laying out a concrete plan of action.

Attendees broke into small working groups to discuss specific goals, including pushing for stricter environmental reviews, clearer zoning rules, and better oversight of energy and water use. Organizers stressed that the effort is not about stopping data centers outright, but about making sure they are held to the same standards as other large industrial developments. Several speakers noted that current regulations in Pennsylvania were written long before the recent boom in large-scale computing facilities.

The group also discussed how to build broader public support. Ideas included attending municipal meetings, drafting letters to county commissioners, and coordinating with lawmakers in Harrisburg. A follow-up session is expected to be scheduled within the next few weeks, with a focus on turning the town hall's ideas into a formal advocacy toolkit that local residents can use in their own communities. Organizers said the goal is to have a clear set of demands ready before the next legislative session begins.