What do data centers do and why PA politicians keep talking about them?
Pennsylvania’s growing number of proposed data centers has become a major issue in the state’s election debate, with concerns about electricity costs, water use, jobs and community impacts. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s executive order requires developers to cover the full energy costs of their projects and meet environmental, transparency and community-benefit requirements, while the state has launched a public permit tracker for proposed facilities.
Data centers have emerged as a prominent political issue in Pennsylvania as candidates debate their effects on electric bills, water supplies, employment and local communities. Bucks County residents have already encountered proposals, including redevelopment plans at the former U.S. Steel site in Fairless Hills, while projects are also being discussed in counties across the state.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania says it is aware of at least 100 proposed data centers and has created a public permit tracker showing project locations and environmental-permit status. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s executive order requires developers to pay the full cost of the energy needed to operate their projects and comply with environmental, transparency and community-benefit requirements. The article also identifies a proposed Amazon Web Services campus in Indiana County among the projects attracting attention.