Pennsylvania Governor's Data Center Policy and Water Use Debated in Commentary
This article discusses public misconceptions about data center water usage, arguing that alfalfa farming consumes significantly more. It critiques Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's approach to data center development, particularly his emphasis on local control, advocating instead for federal, regional, or statewide coordination due to data centers' broader impacts.
An Inquirer.com commentary piece, part of its "Shackamaxon" series, addresses misconceptions surrounding data center water consumption, contrasting it with the far greater water demands of alfalfa farming across Western states. The author criticizes the public's "hard-to-vet claims" regarding data centers and the resulting political scrambling.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's response to data center development is also examined. While acknowledging some reasonable aspects, such as tech companies paying for their own power and contributing to community benefits, the author takes issue with Shapiro's commitment to "local control." The commentary argues that local control is shortsighted because data centers' impacts on resources like water and electricity are regional, not confined to specific communities. The PJM grid, which serves Pennsylvanians, spans multiple states, making local blocking ineffective at insulating communities from regional energy demands.
Furthermore, the article suggests that local control ensures financially distressed cities, like Chester, disproportionately bear the burden of hosting data centers due to economic pressures. The author concludes by advocating for federal, regional, or statewide coordination to manage data center development fairly and effectively.