2 PA Senate candidates fight to be the most anti-data-center
Pennsylvania Senate candidates Tracy Pennycuick and Chris Thomas are competing to portray themselves as the strongest opponents of data center development in the 24th Senate District. The district includes parts of Berks and Montgomery counties, where several proposals have faced community resistance, including projects near Upper Hanover and Limerick townships.
Republican incumbent Tracy Pennycuick and Democratic challenger Chris Thomas are making opposition to data centers a central theme of their campaign for Pennsylvania’s competitive 24th Senate District. Their ads accuse one another of being aligned with data center developers, while residents and local officials scrutinize three proposed facilities in the district. One proposal in Upper Hanover Township was withdrawn by its developer after resistance, and two others are proposed near Limerick Township.
Both candidates say data centers should face safeguards rather than a moratorium. Thomas supports requiring facilities to provide their own energy, pay toward local schools and infrastructure, and protect residents from higher utility costs. Pennycuick has proposed similar energy requirements and restrictions on secret agreements with developers, while defending a shift in her position on a bill she once co-sponsored that would have accelerated permitting for AI-related projects. The race is being closely watched because its outcome could affect control of the Pennsylvania Senate.