The date for a public hearing on an ordinance that would regulate data centers and commercial solar energy farms in West Penn Township has been changed.

Township solicitor Paul J. Datte informed the board of supervisors Tuesday morning that the zoning ordinance will not be ready by next month’s meeting.

The board unanimously agreed to reschedule the public hearing for 5 p.m. Oct. 5. The township’s regular evening monthly meeting will follow at 6 p.m.

Before the vote, Supervisor Kyle Kester asked if there is a nighttime decibel.

Datte said he believes the township has noise regulations in its zoning ordinance, and noted that it’s common to have reduced decibel levels at night.

Earlier this month, Datte said there was the potential for supervisors to adopt the new solar/data center ordinance at its September meeting.

At that meeting, Datte noted that while West Penn’s proposed ordinance details the decommissioning of commercial solar energy facilities, state lawmakers recent signed an act into law regarding decommissioning.

Datte said the law will preempt existing zoning regulations in municipalities. It will take effect in about six months.

The state act requires commercial solar farm developers to pay the cost to remove equipment and restore land once a solar farm is no longer in use.