Center for Rural Pennsylvania Aims to Inform Public on Data Centers

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is seeking to clarify the impact of data center development for residents across the state through information sharing, as communities struggle to understand these rapid changes. Sen. Gene Yaw, chair of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, moderated an informational hearing on April 17, 2026. During the hearing, Jim Ladlee, state program leader for emerging and advanced technology with Penn State Extension, noted that data center development often outpaces what local communities are accustomed to. Andrew Dehoff of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission also discussed the significant water usage associated with data centers. The initiative aims to equip Pennsylvanians with better information regarding the challenges and opportunities presented by these developments.