Sen. Fetterman Backs President’s Stance On Data Centers
US politicians, including Sen. John Fetterman and former President Donald Trump, are weighing in on data center development, often linking it to AI supremacy and national security, particularly against China. The debate involves concerns over local impacts like power and water bills, with some Pennsylvania politicians supporting a pause or stricter regulations, while others advocate for growth. Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed an executive order to establish stricter 'guardrails' for the industry in the state.
The contentious debate surrounding data center development has become a significant political topic, with US Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) aligning with former President Donald Trump in supporting the industry. Both argue that robust data center infrastructure is crucial for achieving AI supremacy over China and safeguarding national security, a stance highlighted by Trump's social media post advocating to 'let data reign' and Fetterman's agreement, despite the political implications of backing Trump.
Fetterman has consistently voiced support for data centers and AI development, rejecting calls for pauses from figures like US Senator Bernie Sanders and criticizing New York Governor Kathy Hochul's data center moratorium as a win for China. He emphasizes that America must lead in AI to avoid operating under China's rules, attributing anti-data center sentiment to misinformation potentially fueled by China.
US Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), a Trump ally, echoes the sentiment about winning the AI race. He has promoted investigations by Republicans into anti-data center non-profits, alleging ties to Chinese funding aimed at sabotaging American AI dominance. McCormick acknowledges local concerns regarding power and water but warns against a 'false choice' between a moratorium and unchecked development, advocating for community cooperation.
In Pennsylvania, the issue is also playing out in gubernatorial politics. Governor Josh Shapiro recently signed an executive order to implement the 'strictest guardrails in the nation' on the data center industry, citing concerns about 'speculators.' Conversely, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Trump supporter, has called for a 'pause' in development. Public opinion in Pennsylvania indicates significant opposition, with recent polls showing a majority of residents either strongly or somewhat opposed to data center construction in their communities.