How to Stop a Data Center: Tips on Giving Testimony at Public Hearings

LATE BREAKING NEWS! The public hearing regarding the proposed data center in Lower Towamensing Township has been re-scheduled from Tuesday, October 27 to December 14. Please read the rest of this post to prepare for the next public meeting in your Borough, Township, or Planning Commission. Local residents must show up in force at every municipal government (Board of Supervisors or Borough Council) and planning commission meeting and be prepared to give testimony on why the proposed data center in their community will negatively impact them. You may be thinking, "What if I've never done that before? How do I approach the Board or Council? What do I say?" Here are key tips on how to present your testimony with the most impact:

1. Write everything you want to say down. If you have access to a computer, type your testimony and use wide spacing to make it easier to read when you print it out.

2. Cite your references. If you refer to a video, online content, or other source in your testimony, provide the reference or URL in your written comments.

3. Provide printed copies of your testimony to each member of the Board or Council, Secretary, and Solicitors. This may require printing 8-10 copies.

4. Ensure your testimony is within the time frame for public comment. Public comment is typically limited to 3-5 minutes. Practice and rehearse your testimony using a timer or the stopwatch function on your phone to ensure you don't go over the time.

5. Record your name and information in the Public Comment list before the meeting. Each municipality has a list of folks who would like to give Public Comment and be sure to add your name and other required information to the sheet so that you will be called upon.

6. Walk up to the podium and move the microphone close to your mouth. You are allowed to move the mic.

7. Do not shout at the Board or Council. Do not accuse them of bad motives, wrongdoing, or anything else.

8. Be respectful of the Board or Council. They are basically unpaid volunteers who may receive a small stipend for every public meeting. They cannot express an opinion because it may disqualify them from voting on the data center at a later date.

9. Present information that is accurate. Cite credible sources for information.

10. Your testimony should focus on issues that the Board or Council have authority over. For example, the Board or Council have no authority over electricity use or rates charged for electricity. The Board and Council have authority over the municipality including ordinances and land use.

11. Testimony that is based on personal experience is most effective.

12. Stick to the rules. If you are given 3 minutes to speak - stay within the 3 minutes. Once you go over the time limit, everyone stops listening and starts watching the clock. It is also polite to those who are waiting in line to speak.

13. Try not to repeat testimony that has already been given effectively. It is okay to say that you agree with the earlier testimony and add comments that weren't covered. If you think the earlier testimony didn't land as effectively as possible - by all means repeat it in your way.

14. If you don't want to speak your entire testimony, you can add your name to the list of speakers and when called upon during the Public Comment period, you can state your name and municipality and ask that your written testimony be entered into the Public record and provide a copy to each member of the Board or Council, the Secretary, and the Solicitor.

Remember, the opportunity to speak is what makes our government unique and special. Every resident of a municipality is afforded the right to speak to our local government and it is a privilege and honor to be able to voice our concerns to our elected and appointed leaders.