Data centers targeted at Capitol rally as support sought from legislators, governor
Dozens of data center opponents rallied at Pennsylvania’s State Capitol in Harrisburg, urging lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro to impose a development moratorium and strengthen protections for communities and the environment. The rally also highlighted opposition to Talen Energy’s proposed Montour County data center, backed by Amazon, while industry representatives defended the sector’s economic benefits.
Dozens of opponents rallied inside Pennsylvania’s State Capitol in Harrisburg, calling on lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro to halt data center development and adopt stronger environmental and community protections. Speakers including Karen Feridun of the Better Path Coalition and Sam Burleigh of Concerned Citizens of Montour County criticized the governor’s regulatory approach and cited concerns about pollution, noise, light, health impacts and local consent.
The protest comes amid numerous proposed data centers across Pennsylvania, including a Talen Energy project in Montour County backed by Amazon. Shapiro issued an executive order in August that ended fast-track permitting for proposals, increased local control over land-use decisions and created a public permit-tracking dashboard, but stopped short of imposing a moratorium. Dan Diorio of the Data Center Coalition defended the industry, citing its statewide jobs, economic and tax contributions and pledging responsible development.