As plans for large data centers expand across the United States, some communities in Pennsylvania are resisting. In response to public opposition, commissioners in Hampden Township, near Harrisburg, voted in September against allowing data centers in office park zones.
In Blakely, northeast of Scranton, a developer withdrew plans for a data center after local protests.
In Anthony Township, citizens urge leaders to reject Talen Energy’s application to rezone 1,300 acres near its power plant for a potential data center. Sam Burleigh, co-founder of Concerned Citizens of Montour County, warns that industrial development would harm the rural area.
Taryne Williams, spokesperson for Talen Energy, stated that industrial zoning aligns with other Talen-owned land. “We are assessing the viability of projects, and rezoning supports potential developments, including data centers,” Williams said.
The rise in data center proposals, driven by artificial intelligence, brings tax revenue and jobs. However, critics highlight issues like noise, increased electric bills, and high water usage. Virginia’s Dominion Energy has been warned that new projects could require 40 gigawatts of electricity, potentially leading to more natural gas plants and increased carbon emissions.
Diesel generators at these centers, originally for backup, are being used more, affecting air quality and prompting noise complaints.
Virginia Marcille-Kerslake of Food & Water Watch praised Hampden Township for opposing rezoning. “We created awareness via flyers and door-to-door efforts,” Marcille-Kerslake said. Food & Water Watch suggests restricting data centers to industrial zones and imposing conditions rather than outright bans.
According to padatacenterproposals.com, 21 data centers are planned in Pennsylvania, mostly in the northeast. Among them is an Amazon Web Services project in Salem Township, near Wilkes-Barre, expected to use as much electricity as 750,000 homes.
In Hazle Township, NorthPoint Development plans a 15-building data center on 1,280 acres. In Delaware, a planned six-million-square-foot data center has led to a bill requiring developers to ensure sufficient electric grid capacity.
Starwood Digital Ventures, developing the Delaware site, plans to maintain 40% as open space and connect to a 500-kilovolt power line. CEO Anthony Balastrieri noted the benefits of accessing existing infrastructure.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org