Salem Township residents win legal battle over data center transparency

A Luzerne County judge has ruled that the Salem Township Planning Commission violated the Sunshine Act during a meeting regarding a data center ordinance. The ruling follows complaints from residents who alleged they were locked out of the proceedings.

Salem Township, located near the Susquehanna River, is a significant hub for data center projects. An Amazon Web Services facility is currently under construction, and a second project by QTS Data Centers has received approvals. Both projects were previously on a state permit-expediting list before being removed following shifts in public sentiment.

While the judge voided the original meeting, a subsequent request for a restraining order to stop a follow-up Planning Commission meeting was denied. Local residents have expressed concerns that the township is attempting to expedite processes that will have long-term impacts on the community.