As data centers become a growing point of controversy across the state, officials in Jefferson County are moving to limit potential impacts on local water resources.
Brookville Borough Council approved a 180-day moratorium that pauses potential data center development and blocks the use of borough water resources for those facilities.
Officials said the decision came after they learned about two possible data center projects in Pine Creek and Rose townships.
Council members said each facility could require more than 1.2 million gallons of water per day.
Borough leaders said the six-month pause will give them time to study the potential impact on the local water system and help ensure residents’ needs are protected.
“They wouldn’t have to file anything with the Brookville borough. But because our county doesn’t have any subdivision ordinances currently, they wouldn’t even need to apply to the county. So it’s kind of a black hole through required ordinances and so on. It’s just not there,”
Officials said no formal plans have been filed for either project at this time.