Several groups in Penn Forest are spearheading efforts to raise awareness about a potential data center by gathering signatures on a petition against data centers in the township.

The board of supervisors passed a lengthy, 45-page data center ordinance on March 2 after months of meetings with the public for input and information. Numerous updates were made to have a thorough document.

Penn Forest Residents Against Data Centers has a petition and runs a Facebook page urging residents to be informed of the concerns with a proposed data center in the township.

Twenty-four pages of a signed petition with 355 signatures were submitted to township supervisors. The group noted that the proposed site at Route 903 and Maury Road would be detrimental to health, safety and the rural character of the community.

Danielle Wojcik, administrator of PFRADC, said, ”I created the page as it’s a new issue in the area people might not know about. I want to raise awareness, educate and help. There’s no specific project planned so there’s a lot we don’t know yet.”

The petition explains concerns about a potential data center in the area, including health, water, environmental, noise and vibration problems. Air quality, property values, increased traffic and potential increased utility bills are among the issues noted.

By signing the petition residents “Affirm opposition to Mele Brothers Realty data center project. This is a commitment to preserve the rural character and natural resources of Penn Forest Township.”

Mele Brothers Realty is the current potential builder of the proposed data center on the 750 acre property.

A hearing regarding a challenge Mele Brothers Realty made to the zoning ordinance has been continued several times with no current date for the hearing.

An anonymous poster on the “Penn Forest Data Center Updates” noted a petition against the data centers was submitted to the board of supervisors with over 700 signatures, with other signatures yet to be submitted.

The post stated, “This is a group effort to gather signatures. It’s being done through several Facebook groups, residents, and local businesses like Reilly’s Produce that have allowed us to gather signatures there.”

Carbon County Cares has also been vocal against the building of a data center.