Residents call for Pa. data center moratorium
Pennsylvania residents held a rally in Harrisburg to support a proposed three-year statewide moratorium on data center development, criticizing Governor Josh Shapiro for siding with tech companies. The proposed bill, introduced by Sen. Katie Muth, seeks to protect residents from the impacts of these large industrial projects. The event highlighted ongoing controversies and transparency issues surrounding data center proposals in various townships across the state.
Residents from across Pennsylvania gathered at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg to advocate for a proposed three-year moratorium on data center development. Speakers at the rally expressed strong disapproval of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, accusing him of prioritizing wealthy tech companies over the concerns of local communities.
Colby Wesner, a pediatrician from Montour County, cited public records requests that revealed unpublicized issues with data center activities and dismissed the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development standards as a mere "PR stunt." Senator Katie Muth (D-Chester County) introduced a bill for the moratorium, emphasizing the critical need for state leaders to protect residents' health from large industrial projects. Republican Senators Rosemary Brown (Monroe County) and Jamie Walsh (Luzerne County) also voiced support, with Rep. Walsh announcing an investigation into large-scale property purchases linked to data center proposals in Salem Township.
The event, organized by Food & Water Watch, underscored transparency issues in areas like Clinton Township (Wayne County), where a former supervisor filed a lawsuit alleging a Sunshine Act violation, and Limerick Township (Montgomery County), which saw controversy and alleged threats over a local data center proposal. Megan McDonough, the state director for Food & Water Watch, asserted that communities are being exploited rather than consulted for data center development, citing a proposal in Springdale Borough (Allegheny County) where residents lacked sufficient time to understand the project's implications.
McDonough criticized the pattern of developers attempting to conceal potential impacts and rush approvals, as well as politicians who publicly ignore the issue, concluding that "Pennsylvania belongs to the people, and not Big Tech."