Luzerne County is writing data center rules for the 19 towns that use county zoning. Every data center would need a special exception from the county zoning hearing board. The planning commission recommended it in May 2026 and meets Oct. 8 to review new changes from the county law office. County Council must still vote.

Oct 8, 2026Source

🗺️ Zoning change · Salem Township

After a court voided its earlier votes, the Salem Township Planning Commission voted a third time to recommend a larger data center overlay zone. The zone would help a third data center project move forward. Township supervisors make the final decision.

Sept 2026Source

🗺️ Zoning change · Salem Township

Salem Township supervisors scheduled a vote to expand the township's data center overlay zone for the Salem 3 campus, a planned 39-building project on more than 4,000 acres with its own power plant. Residents went to court over meeting notice and limits on public comment.

Aug 26, 2026Source

⚖️ Court case · Salem Township

A Luzerne County judge ruled that the Salem Township Planning Commission broke the state open-meetings law when some people were locked out of a meeting on a data center zoning overlay. Eight residents without a lawyer brought the case. The ruling voided the commission's earlier vote on an overlay for a third data center project, called Salem 3.

Aug 25, 2026Source

📜 Data center rules · Butler Township

Butler Township in Luzerne County drafted a 35-page data center ordinance. Data centers would only be allowed in industrial zones with zoning board approval. The draft sets strict limits on noise, height, and distance from neighborhoods.

June 29, 2026Source

⏸️ Pause on new data centers · Hazle Township

Hazle Township supervisors unanimously declared parts of the township's zoning invalid because it does not cover data centers. This starts a pause of about 180 days on new data center applications while the planning commission writes new rules.

June 2026Source

⏸️ Pause on new data centers · Butler Township

Butler Township supervisors in Luzerne County canceled a hearing and passed a resolution saying the township's zoning is flawed because it does not cover data centers. For 180 days the township will not accept data center applications while it writes new rules.

May 12, 2026Source

⚖️ Court case · Hazle Township

A Luzerne County judge denied the Project Hazelnut developer's appeal of the township's rejection. The judge said the project should first go to the township zoning board for a special exception. The developer is now asking a state appeals court to review it.

May 2026Source

✅ Approved · Salem Township

The Salem Township Planning Commission recommended conditional approval of a revised master plan for a QTS data center campus. The new plan cuts the project from 18 buildings to 12 but adds 100 acres. It also involves closing parts of three local roads. Supervisors had approved an earlier master plan.

May 2026Source

🤝 Agreement with the company · Salem Township

Salem Township supervisors approved a Blackstone QTS data center campus planned for about 1,700 acres bought from 96 landowners. The township received a $9 million community benefit agreement to pay for emergency medical services, roads and other infrastructure, and town services.

March 2026Source

📜 Data center rules · Foster Township

Foster Township's planning commission reviewed a zoning change that would limit data centers to two small energy overlay areas. Data centers would need a public hearing and supervisor approval. The draft keeps them 500 feet from homes and schools.

Feb 4, 2026Source

📜 Data center rules · Dallas Township

Dallas Township supervisors held a packed hearing on data center rules that would allow them only in the general industrial zone with a conditional use approval. The draft has large setbacks from homes and a height limit. Supervisors delayed the vote to make changes.

Jan 8, 2026Source

✋ Turned down · Hazle Township

Hazle Township supervisors unanimously rejected the land development plan for Project Hazelnut, a 15-building data center campus on about 1,280 acres near Humboldt Industrial Park. More than 200 residents came out against it.

Nov 14, 2025Source

Find your town

In Pennsylvania, your township, borough or city usually decides where data centers can go.