Pennsylvanian residents rally at State Capitol over data center development
More than 250 Pennsylvania residents rallied at the state Capitol in Harrisburg, urging lawmakers to pause new data center development while the state studies potential impacts on water, electricity, the environment and local communities. The rally comes after Gov. Josh Shapiro issued an executive order imposing new requirements on data center developers, which advocates say do not go far enough.
More than 250 residents gathered in Harrisburg at a rally organized by the Better Path Coalition, No False Climate Solutions PA and partner groups. They urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to pause new data center projects and conduct additional research into their effects on water supplies, electricity costs, the environment, agriculture and surrounding communities. The groups are also encouraging residents to send letters to state officials and are citing Pennsylvania’s Green Amendment in support of their demands.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration says more than 100 data center projects have been identified in Pennsylvania, with 58 engaging with the Department of Environmental Protection. Shapiro’s August executive order removed data centers from the state’s Fast Track permitting program and added requirements covering energy affordability, environmental protection, community engagement, workforce development and transparency. Dan Diorio of the Data Center Coalition defended the industry’s economic and infrastructure contributions while supporting responsible development that complies with regulations and manages resources carefully.