Data Center DECISION TREE AND RESOURCES
The Data Center Decision Tree for Communities is a visual roadmap to see what you can do to advocate against data centers or mitigate harm from data centers in your community based on the situation you are in.
To access, click the links below to see online or over PDF. (Note - you do not need to sign up for canva to view, just click the ‘x’ at the top right corner when you open it to see the tree.)
Pennsylvania
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Download the PA PDF here and you can zoom in more.
west virginia
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Download the WV PDF here and you can zoom in more.
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The decision tree could still be helpful to pointing out some strategic next steps, as most states share relatively similar development processes and permits, and all of the “Team” sections are important regardless where you live! Make sure to check if that “arena” is legal and applicable in your state before spending too much time or energy on it.
If you live in a state with laws that easily allow data center development, you might want to check out West Virginias. West Virginia has passed state laws that take away a lot of local decision-making power and a lot of ‘arenas’ that communities could impact.
If you live in a state with laws that are passing laws that put some protections in place on data centers, you might want to check out Ohio or Pennsylvania. Ohio and Pennsylvania has introduced (but not passed) state laws that create some stronger environmental and utility cost protections, and gives municipalities more decision-making power. Description text goes here
Other Data Center Resources
Data Centers - What Can Municipalities Do?
An overview of steps municipalities can take to protect communities from data center impacts.
Reading and Using Zoning for Data Center Advocacy
How to read zoning codes, and how to use your municipality’s zoning for data center advocacy.
Anticipated Local, State, and Federal Permits for Data Center Developments
See what permits data centers may need to move forward in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, and ways to get involved.
Are Moratoriums Legal in Pennsylvania?
Learn the difference between moratoriums and municipal curative amendments, and how to use a curative amendment to advocate for a data center pause.
Decision Tree Data Center Messaging Guidance
Sample messages and communications guidance for communities advocating against data centers by the Ohio River Valley Institute.
Organizing and Team-building:
Site Fight Guide: Stop Data Centers, by Missouri Workers Center, Kairos Fellowship, and AI Now
The People Say No: Resisting Data Centers, by MediaJustice
No Data Centers on Native Land: Organizing Toolkit, by Honor the Earth
How to Stop a Data Center Near You, by Food and Water Watch
Organizing Tools, by Training for Change
National and Regional Coalitions:
Site Fight Solidarity Hour, hosted by Kairos Fellowship and the Data Center Working Group
Data Center Working Group Biweekly local and state working group, hosted by the Data Center Working Group
FAir shake resourceS
DATA CENTER TOOLKITS
North Star Data Center Policy Toolkit, by AI Now Institute
Data Center Playbook, by the Alliance for the Great Lakes
Want help or support using the decision tree or working on data center issues? Reach out!
