Advocates call for data center moratorium in Pennsylvania Capitol

Environmental advocates and concerned Pennsylvanians delivered nearly 2,000 signatures to the Governor's office at the state Capitol, advocating for a statewide moratorium on new data centers. The group, represented by environmental advocate Attica Van Rossen, expressed frustrations over the potential environmental and economic impacts, including water issues, loss of agricultural land due to rezoning, and strain on the state's power grid. They are organizing a "People's Town Hall" to ensure community concerns are addressed by all levels of Pennsylvania government. This push for a moratorium comes as the Public Utility Commission recently issued new guidelines requiring data centers to fund grid upgrades. Additionally, the state House has passed bills concerning data center clean energy usage and water consumption reporting, aligning with Governor Shapiro's proposed grid plan. However, these guidelines and bills are not yet law, and lawmakers reportedly believe a moratorium is unlikely given the divided legislature, suggesting regulation is a more realistic path. Despite legislative efforts, protesters argue that existing measures are inadequate. They are calling for more aggressive action, specifically a three-year moratorium, to allow municipalities and the state sufficient time to implement robust protections. They warn that without a pause, over 50 proposed data centers could overwhelm Pennsylvania's power infrastructure and economy.