Philly group pushes for ban on new data centers
A campaign called "No Data Centers in Philly" is advocating for a citywide moratorium on new data center construction in Philadelphia. Activists are raising concerns about environmental impacts, health, water usage, and increasing electricity costs. They plan to lobby the City Council to implement safeguards and clear rules for data center development.
A campaign named "No Data Centers in Philly" has launched, advocating for a citywide moratorium on future data center construction in Philadelphia. Organizers and community groups rallied at City Hall to deliver their message, citing concerns over potential health impacts, quality of life, increasing electricity bills, and the strain on air and water resources. Activists expressed particular apprehension about the possibility of two hyperscale data centers being built, one at a former refinery site in southwest Philadelphia and another near Grant Avenue in northeast Philadelphia.
The groups are demanding that the Philadelphia City Council develop a proposal for a citywide moratorium, noting that the city currently lacks clear regulations for data center placement and a process for affected residents to voice their concerns. They highlighted that over 500 communities nationwide have already secured data center moratoriums. While Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro recently tightened statewide restrictions for data center construction and mandated local approval, he has not imposed a statewide moratorium, a step the Philadelphia activists are now urging local leaders to take.
Organizers plan to attend an upcoming City Council meeting at City Hall to lobby local officials for the moratorium. They stated that this issue is far from over, with residents strongly opposing further data center development in Philadelphia.