ELECTION 2026: Flynn, Soltis Sparano discuss key topics ahead of District 22 race
Pennsylvania Senate candidates Marty Flynn and Sharon Soltis Sparano discussed data center development during a District 22 forum in Wilkes-Barre. Both expressed opposition to the data center boom, while Flynn called for a federal moratorium until municipalities update their regulations and said developers should provide their own energy and pay their costs.
Democratic state Sen. Marty Flynn and Republican challenger Sharon Soltis Sparano addressed data center development during an Oct. 14 candidate forum at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre. Soltis Sparano said opposition to the data center boom was a major reason she entered the race and described the facilities as environmentally harmful. She also said she formed Power, a group focused on protecting water, wildlife, the environment and other resources.
Flynn said municipalities should retain local control and advocated a federal moratorium until local regulations are updated. He opposed tax rebates for data centers and argued that developers should bring their own energy, pay their own way and avoid residential neighborhoods. The candidates said no data center developers had contributed directly to their campaigns, though Flynn acknowledged receiving donations from people selling land to developers and Soltis Sparano cited small contributions from people opposed to data centers.