Report Details Widespread Opposition to Data Center Construction in Pennsylvania
A new report by Data & Society, based on 18 months of fieldwork in Pennsylvania, reveals diverse and growing public opposition to data center construction in the state. Researchers found that residents are wary of the industry's 'inevitable AI' narrative, drawing on historical industrial trauma and expressing concerns about electricity costs, property values, and developer tactics. This widespread sentiment has led Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to impose new regulatory requirements and remove data centers from a fast-track initiative.
A recent report by the nonprofit Data & Society, following 18 months of ethnographic fieldwork with 44 Pennsylvanians from 2024 to 2026, delves into the escalating public opposition to data center construction in the state. The study indicates that over 60% of Americans favor limiting new data centers, with particular resistance stemming from residents' experiences with historical industrialization, fostering skepticism toward new 'utopian industrial schemes.' Researchers Livia Garofalo and Maia Woluchem highlight the dissonance between industry claims of AI's inevitability and public fears, revealing a 'post-partisan' coalition of opponents including classic NIMBYs, environmental groups concerned about water and energy, and those worried about property values and increased power bills.
The report also scrutinizes industry boosterism, such as the Data Center Coalition's lobbying efforts and 'Pennsylvania Connects' campaign. Despite these efforts, opposition has grown, prompting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to shift his stance. After headlining a summit celebrating data center investment in July 2025, a year later he signed an order imposing new requirements on data center projects and removing them from a regulatory fast-track initiative. Trade unions, however, remain a key source of support due to the potential for job creation, even while acknowledging limited long-term employment within the data centers themselves.