Don't bet Pa.'s future on data centers, here's a better idea | Opinion

In an opinion piece published by the Erie Times-News, Justin Wagner, a senior controls engineer and Democratic congressional candidate for Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District, argues against the state's current focus on attracting data centers. Wagner contends that while data centers offer tax revenue and initial construction jobs, they are massive consumers of energy and water, straining the electricity grid and driving up utility prices. He also points out that they are noisy, sprawling, and provide few long-term employment opportunities. Wagner proposes that Pennsylvania should instead invest in attracting high-tech semiconductor manufacturing facilities. He highlights that these plants create thousands of high-paying, highly skilled jobs for engineers, technicians, and operators, supporting a broad ecosystem of suppliers, contractors, research institutions, and training programs. He frames this shift as crucial for long-term wage growth, industrial stability, and strategic independence for the United States, which currently relies heavily on overseas advanced chip production from companies like TSMC and Samsung. Wagner suggests these facilities can be built sustainably with modern energy infrastructure and water reuse systems, bringing industrial relevance back to Pennsylvania and building a robust tech backbone for decades.