How AI data centers could affect Pennsylvania’s water and electricity
Pennsylvania is attracting artificial intelligence data centers because of its energy resources and proximity to major East Coast cities. Researchers warn that the facilities could increase electricity demand, consume significant water, strain public infrastructure and affect communities, taxpayers and farmland.
Pennsylvania’s energy resources and location are drawing interest from companies developing artificial intelligence data centers. Brian R. King, an associate professor of computer science at Bucknell University, said the facilities require substantial electricity to power the graphics processing units used to train and operate AI models.
Benjamin Hayes, program director of Watershed Sciences and Engineering, said large data centers can also consume water for cooling and indirectly increase water demand through electricity generation. He called for regional or statewide reviews that consider cumulative effects on watersheds, power supplies, drought conditions, land use and public infrastructure rather than evaluating projects individually.