McCormick Presses AI Buildout With Worker, Data Center Rules
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick proposed a comprehensive AI policy focused on infrastructure buildout, worker protections, and national security. He addressed the growing public opposition to data centers, urging developers to fund their own power needs, limit environmental impacts, and provide local economic benefits. McCormick called for greater transparency from developers and an avoidance of tax abatements.
U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) delivered an address at the Manhattan Institute, outlining his vision for artificial intelligence policy. He emphasized the need for rapid development of AI infrastructure, including data centers, while also advocating for national child-safety rules, workforce protections, and stringent technology controls on China. McCormick positioned Pennsylvania as a crucial hub for the expanding AI economy, framing his policy around five core priorities: workers, wealth distribution, child protection, national security, and the essential energy and data center infrastructure.
A significant portion of his address focused on the contentious issue of data center development, particularly concerning energy infrastructure requirements. McCormick highlighted the country's need for increased generating capacity, transmission infrastructure, and semiconductor supply to maintain global competitiveness. He acknowledged the rising public opposition to data centers, citing concerns over electricity rates, water usage, land consumption, and a perceived lack of transparency from developers. He specifically criticized developers who use shell companies or withhold information, suggesting this behavior fuels local resistance.
To address these issues, Senator McCormick proposed a four-part agreement between data center developers and host communities. This framework suggests that companies should independently fund their power and transmission needs, minimize environmental impacts, generate local economic benefits, and transparently disclose projected power, water, land, and tax requirements early in the approval process. He further recommended that developers forgo tax abatements, prioritize local hiring, and invest in local schools, businesses, and community infrastructure.
McCormick cited specific energy projects in Homer City and Shippingport, Pennsylvania, as examples of investments linked to data center growth, and lauded Blackstone and QTS for their community engagement. He cautioned communities against rejecting data centers outright without considering potential investment and job creation. The Senator concluded by advocating for stronger collaboration between government, industry, capital, and labor to secure American leadership in AI, drawing parallels to industrial mobilization during World War II.