DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meets May 12 For Presentations On A Data Center Guide From Chester, Montgomery Counties; PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ Contamination In Biosolids

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet May 12 to hear presentations on several topics-- a Data Center Guide developed by Chester and Montgomery counties; PFAS ‘forever chemical’ contamination in biosolids and a Penn State Air Pollution Modeling Study.

Click Here for a copy of the agenda.

Data Center Guide

The Council will hear a presentation on the Data Center Ordinance Guide developed by Chester and Montgomery counties to help municipalities prepare for data center proposals.

The presentation will be given by Matthew Edward, Executive Director, Chester County Planning Commission, Scott France, Executive Director, Montgomery County Planning Commission and Rachel Griffith, Sustainability Director for Chester County.

PFAS Farm Contamination

Dr. Linda Lee, Professor of Agronomy & Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue University, leads research on the fate, transport and remediation of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ in agricultural systems and wastewater.

Her work focuses on PFAS contamination from biosolids application and wastewater effluent and is working to develop technologies and management strategies to removes PFAS chemicals from the environment.

Click Here for an article on her research.

Public Comment

Individuals interested in providing public comment during the meeting must sign up 24-hours in advance of the meeting by contacting CAC Executive Director Ian Irvin at iirvin@pa.gov or 717-579-0329.  

Commenters are asked to limit comments to 3 minutes and are encouraged to submit a written copy of public comments 24-hours in advance of the meeting so that they can be shared with CAC members in advance.

Join The Meeting

The meeting will be held in Room 105 of the Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 12:30 p.m. 

The agenda includes instructions for joining the meeting online or by telephone.

Visit the DEP Citizens Advisory Council webpage for available handouts and more information.  Questions should be directed to Ian Irvin, Executive Director, iirvin@pa.gov or 717-579-0329.

Resource Links:

-- Concerned Citizens Of Montour County: Data Center Developer Wants To Make It Harder For Citizens To Appeal Zoning, Permits; DCED Secretary Explains More On How They Want New GRID Principles To Work  [PaEN] 

-- Montour County: What A.I. Data Center Developers Don’t Like In Zoning Ordinances: Decommissioning Safeguards For When Their Tech Becomes Obsolete; No Noise Limits On Diesel Generators; No Property Value Impact Studies  [PaEN]

-- Tri-County Regional Planning Commission Publishes Model A.I. Data Center Ordinance; Links To Other Model Ordinances  [PaEN] 

-- Reading Eagle: Threats Of Violence Against Both Sides Dogging A.I. Data Center Projects In Limerick Twp., Montgomery County  [PDF of Article]

-- DEP Briefing: Proposed Changes To Biosolids Permits To Reduce Risks From PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals,’ Phosphorus Pollution, Improper Storage, Set More Robust Testing Standards   [PaEN]

[Posted: May 1, 2026]  PA Environment Digest