Energy secretary talks data center backlash and data center energy costs

Energy Secretary Chris Wright responded to concerns about proposals to build data centers in local communities.

• Oct 9

Commission closer to increasing consumer protections against data centers

The Pennsylvania Utility Commission is one step closer to trying to increase protections for consumers amid the rapid development of data centers.

• Oct 2

Crowd boos data center developer during contentious meeting in Butler County

Neighbors in Forward Township, Butler County, spent hours on Thursday evening challenging and questioning a proposed million-square-foot data and energy center campus.

• Oct 2

Pa. planners rush to ready townships for data center proposals

Data centers have sparked national controversy​, but Pennsylvania has been a particular focal point.

• Sep 23

Data centers becoming hot issue in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race

Data centers have become the hottest issue in political races across the country, including Pennsylvania's race for governor.

• Aug 25

Shapiro issues executive order putting guardrails on data centers

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Tuesday said he's instituting what he calls the strictest data center guardrails in the country.

• Aug 18

Controversial data center in rural Washington County at center of hearing

A proposed data center at the back of an industrial park in Hanover Township, Washington County, was at the center of a public hearing.

• Aug 5

Can anything be done to stop data center development?

Data center projects are on municipal drawing boards across the Pittsburgh region, and public opposition is growing.

• Jul 28

Residents wage 11th-hour fight over proposed data center in Hanover Township

Opposition to a data center at the back end of an industrial park is growing among residents of Hanover Township, Washington County.

• Jul 27

Westmoreland County residents voice frustrations amid data center speculation

Some residents in Westmoreland County are voicing their frustrations over speculation on data centers.

• Jul 8

Data center supporters and critics argue over future in Pittsburgh area

There are several data centers on the drawing boards in southwestern Pennsylvania, raising concerns about noise and pollution.

• Jul 7

How much water does AI really use?

The heaviest demand on America's water supply isn't data centers or AI. It's from everyday uses such as growing food, watering lawns and flushing toilets.

• Jun 25

Data centers the focus of debate as Pennsylvania lawmakers consider new rules

On both sides of the aisle, there's agreement that data center development is happening fast, and the companies behind them need regulation.

• Jun 18

South Strabane Township passes 2 ordinances related to data centers

A community in Washington County said it is taking steps to protect its residents from data centers.

• Jun 9

Ohio suspends data center tax break amid AI power concerns

The move by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine comes as tax breaks for energy-hungry AI data centers are increasingly playing a role in state budgets.

• May 30

Ohio data center tax break cost $1.4 billion more than expected in 2025

Ohio's tax break for data centers is costing the state far more than expected.

• May 24