Pennsylvanians deserve access to affordable housing and the resources we need to thrive, not data centers that waste water and increase already rising energy costs.
In June, Governor Shapiro proudly announced Amazon’s plan to spend $20 billion on data centers in PA to power AI. Shapiro touted this as “an investment in Pennsylvania”, but Pennsylvanians took off the rose-tinted glasses. We know this is not an investment in us; it’s an investment in multinational corporations that want to exploit our land, water, energy, and tax dollars.
After Trump and Senator Dave McCormick’s Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit in July, data center and energy firms like Blackstone pledged to invest $90 billion in PA to build even more data centers across the commonwealth at our, the taxpayers’, expense.
We’re already feeling the heat here in PA—literally.. Energy costs are rising from the growing number of energy-guzzling data centers. Working people already struggle to make ends meet. Real Pennsylvanians need affordable housing and resources, not AI data centers that only hurt our communities. We won’t obey in advance.
Neighbors across the state are uniting to oppose the construction of data centers in their communities. In Lancaster City, 20 residents pushed back against a $6 billion data center proposal, citing noise pollution, increased carbon emissions, and higher energy costs. In Dorrance Township (Luzerne County), 100+ neighbors filled the firehouse at the Dorrance Township meeting to express their concerns. When we come together and use our voices, we are powerful. We need you Hannah, in the room with us when we have meaningful conversations in this fight with our elected officials. Share your stories and thoughts about AI data centers here, so we have the power to make a difference!
While our neighbors speak out, elected allies are drafting legislation to help protect working folks in PA from the ramifications of AI data centers. State Senator Katie Muth released this memo detailing her upcoming proposal, the Pennsylvania Ratepayer Protection Act. According to Senator Muth, “This legislation will protect ratepayers by preventing unfair cost-shifting onto residents, small businesses, schools, and local governments by ensuring that data center infrastructure is funded by the entities that develop, operate, and benefit from them. This legislation will help build public trust and ensure utility rate equity by keeping costs stable and affordable.”
We will not give in and accept this “new normal” while our energy costs go up, precious resources are stripped from our communities, and greedy corporations profit off hardworking Pennsylvanians. We’re using our collective power to fight for the resources our communities need, and we need your help!
Will you join us in this fight for a PA that works for all of us?
In community,
Edwin, Mary, Hannah, Alec, & Kane: PA Stands Up Comms Team