Pennsylvania House Candidate Shifts Stance on Data Centers, Proposes Moratorium
Pennsylvania congressional candidate Bob Harvie has made a data center moratorium the centerpiece of his campaign against Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a significant shift from his past support for such projects in Bucks County. This change reflects growing political concern over the environmental and infrastructural impacts of data centers. Harvie's new stance aligns with a broader trend of politicians responding to increased voter apprehension about data center development.
Bob Harvie, a Democrat challenging incumbent Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) in Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District, has made banning data centers a central theme of his campaign. Harvie, a Bucks County Commissioner, released a TV ad advocating for a moratorium on data centers, accusing "Big Tech" of excessive land, water, and electricity consumption and criticizing Fitzpatrick for supporting data center tax breaks.
This position represents a dramatic change for Harvie, who previously supported an Amazon data center project in Falls Township, Bucks County. In August of last year, Harvie joined Gov. Josh Shapiro in celebrating Amazon's announcement, praising efforts to expedite permitting and strengthen the local economy. He also supported a tax break for the project in December 2020 during a Bucks County Commissioners vote.
Harvie's shift comes as data centers have become a politically "toxic" issue, with House Democrats encouraging candidates to campaign against such projects. Similarly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) has also performed an about-face, transitioning from welcoming data centers to implementing an executive order that imposes restrictions, including requirements for community outreach and energy efficiency.
Fitzpatrick's campaign quickly responded by highlighting Harvie's past support, creating a digital ad that labels him "Bucks County’s No. 1 fan of data centers" and accusing him of creating the very problem he now campaigns against.