Residents demonstrate resistance to data centers
Residents in Mansfield, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, protested against future data center construction, citing concerns about environmental impact, water, and electricity usage. Led by Kathryn Peters, the 'Tioga County Citizens Against Data Centers' group is organizing further town hall meetings to resist development. They are also advocating for stronger local ordinances to protect the region, despite a state-level tax break for data centers.
Residents of Mansfield, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, led a protest on Saturday against the future construction of data centers in their community. Kathryn Peters and Britt Kunsman, spearheading the Tioga County Citizens Against Data Centers and the Tioga Taxpayers Protecting the PA Wilds Facebook group, organized a rally along Main Street in Mansfield. The protest, which attracted residents like Brian Erway from Cherry Flats, highlighted a bipartisan opposition movement aimed at "saving Tioga County in general and saving the PA Wilds".
Peters voiced concerns regarding the potential impact data centers could have on the county's water, electricity, and natural environment. She advocates for stronger local ordinances to protect the region, urging Tioga County commissioners to take more decisive action to prevent data center development. Protestors also referenced an eight-year tax break for data centers implemented by the Shapiro administration, which they believe undermines local benefits from such projects.
Erway characterized data center development as "billionaires eyeing our home" for projects that residents "nobody asked for". Peters expressed worry about the long-term viability of data centers after tax breaks expire, suggesting a "bubble economy" in the industry. The group plans to hold town hall meetings and public information sessions to further mobilize the 40,000 residents of Tioga County, aiming to convey their collective opposition to the commissioners.