New study: Pennsylvania’s AI boom is repeating old patterns of exploitation
A new report from Data & Society claims Pennsylvania's data center boom may repeat past industrial exploitation, raising concerns about land, water, and energy use. It highlights growing public opposition, exemplified by a recent zoning denial in Montour County. State Senator Katie Muth has proposed a three-year moratorium on data center development in response to these issues.
A new report by the research group Data & Society warns that Pennsylvania's burgeoning data center industry risks repeating historic patterns of industrial exploitation, despite promises of economic growth. After a two-year investigation, the group concluded that the potential 66 data centers (with five already under construction and five approved) would demand vast quantities of land, water, and energy, ignoring local concerns. The report, funded by the Mellon Foundation, argues that industry proponents use