Walsh, Benscoter talk data centers, affordability and more in race for 117th House District
Candidates for Pennsylvania’s 117th House District discussed the backlash to rapid data center development and proposed stronger state and local controls. Jamie Walsh supports a moratorium on new development, while Jeremy Benscoter supports a three-year moratorium and changes to state planning law to give townships more authority over applications.
Pennsylvania Rep. Jamie Walsh and challenger Jeremy Benscoter offered differing but broadly critical views of the state’s growing data center industry in a campaign questionnaire for the 117th House District, which includes municipalities in Luzerne County. Walsh said he supports a moratorium on new data center development while municipalities develop zoning ordinances and cited legislation intended to protect communities and the environment.
Benscoter also supports a three-year moratorium, arguing that existing measures have not slowed development or helped communities already facing applications. He said he would pursue changes to the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code so townships have greater authority over large-scale developments. Both candidates raised concerns about electricity costs and grid infrastructure, with Walsh backing legislation that would prevent ratepayers from financing infrastructure for hyperscale data centers and require those facilities to provide their own energy.