Plains Twp PA proposed data center energy/technology overlay (2026)
Plains Township, PA — Proposed Energy and Technology Overlay District Permitting Data Centers on Conservation Land, With Setback, Height and Noise Standards (September 2026)
Plains Township, PA · Plains Township (Luzerne County, PA) proposed Energy and Technology overlay zoning amendment (considered Aug. 11, 2026; public meeting Sept. 22, 2026)
- Status
- Proposed / pending
- Applies to
- Developers of data centers and energy facilities within the overlay, if adopted
- Enforced by
- Plains Township zoning office / Board of Commissioners
Plains Township in Luzerne County is considering a zoning change that would create an energy and technology overlay district where data centers, solar farms, windmill farms and energy storage could be allowed. The area is roughly 592 acres (about 7% of the township) of conservation-district land on the east side of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The draft would set rules for data centers such as setbacks, height limits and noise restrictions. The board voted on August 11, 2026 to move forward with considering the change, and held a public comment meeting on September 22, 2026. No vote on adoption has been scheduled, and township officials say no data center has applied.
Who is protected: Plains Township residents near the proposed overlay area
Legal detail
Aug. 11, 2026 special meeting: Board of Commissioners voted (all in favor) to consider amending the zoning map to add an energy and technology overlay district and to extend a residential district to properties adjacent to the overlay (per CitizenPortal automated meeting summary; not confirmed by an official record). Overlay would authorize 'solar farms, data centers, windmill farms, energy storage systems and such other related uses' as special uses within a defined area; if a special use ceases, the land reverts to conservation designation. Area: ~592 acres, ~7% of township land, near Jumper Road, Westminster Road and Bald Mountain Road, east of the Turnpike (FOX56). Draft standards include setbacks, height limitations and noise restrictions (Times Leader). Residents' critique: decommissioning language exists only for solar, not for data centers or power plants (FOX56). Sept. 22, 2026 public meeting: no vote; additional amendments, introductions and meetings expected. NOT ESTABLISHED: ordinance number, full text, specific numeric standards, adoption date.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Plains Township, PA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Citation | Plains Township (Luzerne County, PA) proposed Energy and Technology overlay zoning amendment (considered Aug. 11, 2026; public meeting Sept. 22, 2026) |
| Private right of action | No, agency enforcement only |
| Penalties | Not stated in located sources |
| Topics | data-center siting and energy |
| News report | 'This isn't something we've ever taken lightly': Plains Twp. weighs data center zoning — Times Leader (Sept. 22, 2026) |
Related data-center siting and energy rules elsewhere
- Superior WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Dane County WI Hyperscale Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- Madison WI Data Center Moratorium (1-year) · In effect
- Manitowoc County WI Data Center Moratorium · In effect
- WA SB 5982 (Data Center / Clean Energy) · In effect
- Dayton OH data center moratorium (180-day, Apr 2026) · In effect
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