Lehigh Township supervisors continued their work on a proposed data center ordinance this week, with township Solicitor Dave Backenstoe calling the latest draft “a very, very good draft,” while warning supervisors that completely banning data centers could expose the township to legal risk.

“The final edit for Data Centers from Muffley is a very, very good draft,” Backenstoe said. “One of the things they are trying to do is put them underground for cooling.”

Backenstoe told the board the township must be careful about how it regulates the rapidly growing industry.

“A good thing you can do is add and change ordinances,” he said. “You have to provide some place for them. Not allowing something, you run the real risk of anything that can move into the township.”

During discussion, residents asked if the state could override local ordinances.

“Yes,” Backenstoe responded.

Supervisor Cindy Miller encouraged residents to get involved at the state level. “Write letters to your representatives,” she said.

Miller and Township Manager Alice Rehrig recently attended the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors conference, where data centers were among the major topics. Rehrig said the conference included a mock hearing on data centers, as well as discussion on “tax credits for AI” and how that type of development fits into local communities.

Supervisors also received proposed revisions to the township noise ordinance. Rehrig told the board, “These are the repealed, deleted, or changed Noise Ordinance to look over.”

Backenstoe advised against taking action immediately.

“I would table making a vote till I have time to look at it. A lot of time has gone into it. It’s a difficult balance,” he said.

The board agreed to table the matter.