PA data center surge sparks local fears over pollution, power costs, and weak oversight

Pennsylvania is grappling with a significant surge in data center development, with 52 active facilities and approximately 50 more proposed across the state. This rapid expansion has sparked considerable concern among local communities, particularly regarding environmental impacts and the strain on electricity grids. Residents like Vanessa Lynch of Indiana Township, the Pennsylvania campaign coordinator for Moms Clean Air Force, highlight the potential for increased pollution from diesel backup generators at facilities like the proposed Cheswick/Springdale AI Data Center in Allegheny County. This project alone is planned to be 565,000 square feet and is expected to use up to 180 megawatts of energy, equivalent to powering 150,000 homes. Concerns also include noise pollution and the massive energy demands that could raise electricity bills for residents and necessitate billions in new infrastructure from utilities. Lynch emphasizes that many small communities feel unprepared and lack sufficient local ordinances to evaluate or deny large data center proposals, often fearing lawsuits. Despite calls for clearer regulations, Pennsylvania currently lacks a statewide law governing data center development. Democrats in the state House passed two bills: House Bill 1834, which would grant the Public Utility Commission regulatory authority and require companies to bear more infrastructure costs, and House Bill 2151, which would create a model ordinance for municipalities. However, these bills face opposition and have stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate, with Republican lawmakers like Rep. Craig Williams and Rep. David Rowe expressing skepticism about new mandates. Conversely, Republican Sens. Camera Bartolotta and Patrick Stefano have proposed legislation that would reduce oversight by eliminating certain state permits and public review opportunities for data center projects.