Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

Pennsylvania is grappling with a surge in Artificial Intelligence (AI) data center development proposals, sparking widespread concern among residents, environmental groups, and state officials. Across various counties, including Lackawanna, Carbon, Armstrong, and those within the Susquehanna River Basin, communities are mobilizing to address the significant demands these facilities place on energy and water resources. In Archbald, Lackawanna County, residents are organizing an information session to discuss concerns over 51 proposed data center buildings and a new power plant. Similarly, an event in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, aims to help communities facing AI data center developments organize opposition. State Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver is hosting a webinar on data center development, highlighting the legislative attention the issue is receiving. Regulatory bodies are actively involved, with the DEP inviting comments on air quality permit modifications for the Armstrong Natural Gas Power Plant to feed AI data centers, and on a water quality permit for Carbon Node East Development's transmission line in Nesquehoning. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is holding a hearing on a proposed water withdrawal of up to 73.2 million gallons per day for a "Three Mile Island Nuclear Data Center Power Plant." Additionally, the PJM Market Monitor has asked FERC to reject a Talen-Energy Capital power plant deal, citing concerns that diverting power to data centers would increase prices and undermine grid reliability. State lawmakers are actively debating regulation for these facilities, while the DEP is seeking proposals for new electric generation and battery storage to meet the rising energy demands of AI data centers across the state.