Pennsylvania Candidates Address Data Center Development and Regulation
A Pennsylvania voter guide examines candidates' positions on data center development amid growing concerns about electricity use, water consumption, pollution and utility costs. It outlines state and federal proposals, new reporting requirements and executive actions, while noting that local governments make most site and zoning decisions.
A News Lab at Penn State voter guide surveyed 126 candidates for the U.S. House and Pennsylvania House about data centers; 39 responded. The article describes growing bipartisan opposition to new facilities, citing concerns about power-grid strain, water use, pollution and higher utility bills. Pennsylvania is tracking dozens of proposed projects, with the largest concentration in northeastern counties.
The article reviews state and federal policy proposals, including legislation to regulate large data centers and end their sales-tax exemption, a new requirement for facilities using more than 10 megawatts to report energy and water use, and Gov. Josh Shapiro's executive order creating faster permitting for developers meeting responsible infrastructure standards. Proposals for a statewide data center moratorium have not advanced, while a federal ratepayer-protection bill stalled in the Senate.
Local governments continue to decide whether individual projects can proceed. Officials approved campuses in Middlesex Township and Springdale Borough, while projects were rejected in Montour County, East Vincent Township and Archbald; residents are challenging the Middlesex approval in court, and the Archbald developer may appeal.