Digital gold rush: With data center boom heading to Western Pa., Virginia offers roadmap — and warnings

Western Pennsylvania is anticipating a substantial data center boom, with developers announcing billions of dollars in investments for massive campuses. Projects are planned or in discussion in Homer City (Indiana County), Shippingport (Beaver County), Upper Burrell (Westmoreland County), Springdale (Allegheny County), and South Strabane (Washington County). These projects are projected to draw immense power, potentially requiring more electricity than entire cities. The article presents Northern Virginia, specifically Loudoun, Fairfax, and Prince William counties, as a case study for Western Pennsylvania. For decades, Northern Virginia has been the epicenter of the U.S. data center industry, bringing significant economic benefits, including high tax revenues—over one-third of Loudoun County's general fund revenues. However, this growth has also led to considerable challenges, such as enormous spikes in power demand, increased reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation and backup, substantial water usage for cooling, constant operational noise, and concerns about architectural aesthetics. Opposition in Northern Virginia has been robust. Elena Schlossberg, executive director of the Coalition to Protect Prince William County, describes the proliferation of data centers as a "metastasizing cancer," mobilizing community efforts against transmission lines for an Amazon data center. Prince William County Supervisor George Stewart, whose campaign centered on stopping data center sprawl, highlights the environmental and social costs, arguing the economic benefits are not worth the impact. In contrast, Fairfax County, through its Economic Development Authority led by President and CEO Victor Hoskins, adopted a more controlled approach, designating specific suitable areas for data centers to manage development. Officials and residents in Western Pennsylvania are advised to learn from Virginia's experience. Digital Realty spokesman Kevin Gundersen encourages PA officials to work with companies and study Loudoun County, while opponents like Schlossberg and Stewart urge them to "go in with eyes wide open" and implement strict ordinances on location, construction, noise, and aesthetics before the industry fully arrives. Fairfax County's model of proactive zoning and policy changes is presented as a blueprint for maintaining community character while still realizing economic advantages.