Protesters voice concerns over data centers at Wilkes-Barre rally
A small group of protesters gathered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to voice concerns over the rapid construction of data centers, citing environmental, noise, and electricity grid impacts. The protest was part of a national 'Humans First' movement, highlighting opposition to projects like Amazon's planned data center campuses in Pennsylvania.
A 'Humans First' protest was held in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on a rainy Saturday, gathering 17 individuals to demonstrate against the rapid construction of hyperscale data centers. This event was one of at least 125 similar protests planned across the U.S. on the same day.
Speakers at the rally, including state House and Senate candidates Fern Leard, Jeremy Benscoter, and Jackie Baker, criticized politicians for not adequately addressing public concerns about data center development. They argued that these projects, often touted as economic development, burden local communities with issues like noise, light pollution, diesel emissions, and increased electricity costs due to strained power grids. Todd Eachus, a former state legislator, specifically highlighted concerns about Amazon Web Services' planned campuses in Salem Township, Luzerne County, and Falls Township, Bucks County, noting their proximity to property lines and a nuclear power plant.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro had previously unveiled standards for data center developers, but also announced a $20 billion commitment from Amazon Web Services for new cloud computing and AI campuses in the state. The broader sentiment reflects national opposition, with a June Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating only a third of Americans approve of the pace of data center construction and just 14% supporting a data center in their own community.
The protest also referenced a recent moratorium enacted by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, blocking large-scale data centers using 50 or more megawatts of power for up to a year, a move that former President Donald Trump criticized as detrimental to job growth.