Bethlehem officials are considering new rules for future data center development, including requirements addressing environmental impacts, water capacity, energy, wastewater and noise. The proposed rules would require developers to provide an environmental impact assessment and a water utilizatio n report before moving forward with a project. Developers would also have to show there is adequate public water capacity for what they want to build. The proposal comes as the future of artificial intelligence and the development of data centers prompt debate in communities across the region. Concerns surrounding proposed data center developments have included their potential impact on local residents’ utility bills. Bethlehem is one of the first communities in the region to undertake the process of developing new guidelines since Gov. Josh Shapiro put new guardrails in place at the state level. The city’s proposed rules also include energy and wastewater requirements. Noise is another issue addressed by the proposal. Developers would have to conduct a sound study, and the rules would establish certain limits for vibrations from a data center. Officials are set to consider the proposed rules during a meeting at Bethlehem City Hall at 7 p.m. Tuesday. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less