About the webinar

Data centers are in the news every day—sometimes for how much energy and water they consume, sometimes for how much farmland they will use, and sometimes for the transformational potential of artificial intelligence. Either way, developers may be looking to build a data center in your community. 

During this webinar, Nicole Sugerman, a Senior Campaign Manager at Kairos Fellowship, discussed the process of developing a data center, identified key areas where you and your community should speak up and advocate against, and shared best practices for engaging with local elected officials. Deanne Weber of Willow Run Farmstead and Chairperson of the Maidencreek Township Environmental Advisory Council also shared their experience affecting local policy around data center developments.

Helpful links and resources shared during the webinar: 

• Penn Future Data Center Ordinance Model: http://pennfuture.org/Report/Data-Center-Model-Ordinance
• Central Resource Hub for PA Data Center Organizing: http://docs.google.com/document/d/1vW69ukZKIhnz1TVnHBkiUmNq5J33fGMjM7QW4XOmA_Y/edit?tab=t.0 
• Article about CBA for Data Centers: https://www.techpolicy.press/community-benefits-from-a-hyperscale-data-center-are-a-mighty-tall-order/
• Legal advice on local ordinances: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52d06637e4b03daab13b67f6/t/6aa2e4a72a5f2163bba80853/1789060263245/PA+Municipal+Powers+Legal+Memo.pdf
• About Kairos: https://www.kairosfellows.org/fightdatacenters
• Kairos Data Center Hotline Intake Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NZG-cEQ19LPxn67xxOez1qQlnwLMdxDJ1DQieG2dLlo/viewform?edit_requested=true#response=ACYDBNiEW-HiwUVXZdUIEBANN05VuvNzXL5RiAt-AdH_gc71bcZ-BaBgk8dAGRipelKyxbU
• Sign up to attend Kairos’ Site Fight Solidarity Hour: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rQO1F_XqSiqO2xBL2-pSeA#/registration

Recorded on October 15, 2026

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