Email Records Raise Questions About Data-Center Planning Pro

Recent Right to Know (RTK) requests returned from South Whitehall Township  revealed  email chains that provided provide a closer look at South Whitehall Township’s internal discussions and coordination with private entities during the development of rules connected to a proposed data-center project.

The correspondence shows Edged Energy submitting detailed comments on the proposed zoning ordinance in July 2025, emphasizing that the language was “critical” to attracting a customer and expressing concern that subjective or overly detailed standards could lead to future variance requests. Township staff discussed handling potential conflicts between the proposed PIRT overlay and existing subdivision and land-development requirements through waivers, rather than a separate SALDO amendment.2025.07.07-RE_-SWT-Catch-Up.pdf

A separate email chain documents coordination between Township officials and PPL Electric Utilities after the zoning overlay was adopted. PPL described its progress toward acquiring land for a new substation and planned a public open house after the ordinance’s appeal period. Township officials offered use of the municipal meeting room for the event, which had an official occupancy of 214 but only 97 chairs—raising practical questions about how a potentially significant public discussion would be accommodated.SWT_PPL-Coordination-3.pdf

The third chain shows Township commissioners and staff identifying generator noise as a central concern during the ordinance-development process. Commissioner Jacob Roth wrote that noise was the “top concern” needing to be addressed and asked how far the Township could go in requiring noise-reduction measures. Township Manager Tom Petrucci stated that 85 decibels at a property line would be excessive and “will not work for the Township and its residents,” while officials discussed visiting or obtaining information from operating data centers to better understand real-world noise impacts.SWT-Commissioners-Gen-Noise-emails-2.pdf

Taken together, the emails show that key questions—including developer influence over ordinance language, the electrical infrastructure needed to support the project, public-notice timing, and enforceable generator-noise protections—were actively being discussed behind the scenes. Residents deserve clear answers on how these issues were resolved, what commitments are enforceable, and how the Township will ensure meaningful public participation as the project moves forward.