In the peaceful setting of Ed Staback Memorial Park in Archbald, Gov. Josh Shapiro stood contemplating the future. The picturesque baseball field, a place of community and recreation, is now at the center of a heated debate over the proposed construction of data center complexes.
“And imagining what it would be like if our kids were trying to play their baseball game in the shadow of a massive data center complex,” Shapiro reflected on the potential transformation of the park. “It is clear to me that there are real concerns in the communities, all across Pennsylvania, especially here in Archbald, and I want you to know that I have real concerns as well.”
Archbald, with six planned data center campuses, leads Pennsylvania in such proposals. The governor engaged with local residents for over an hour, discussing their opposition to these developments.
Shapiro emphasized his commitment to firsthand observation, stating, “I wanted to see with my own eyes where at least one of those projects would be.”
The proposed sites in Archbald include a massive 18-building campus on 1,500 acres adjacent to the park, designed to support AI and cloud computing with extensive power and water needs. This mirrors a growing trend nationwide, where communities resist such developments near residential areas due to concerns over utility use, noise, and environmental impact.
Michael Pilch, part of Stop Archbald Data Centers, noted, “He listened to our concerns and he discussed some potential ideas that he may have … regarding legislation.”
Cumulative impacts
Residents in northeastern Pennsylvania express their worry about the collective impact of numerous data centers in tight proximity. Pilch highlighted this during his conversation with Shapiro, stating, “He did understand where we were coming from.”
Shapiro committed to investigating potential legal avenues to safeguard citizen interests, stating, “We’re going to be constrained somewhat legally, but we’re going to see how we can push the envelope here and look at the broader impacts on a community as opposed to one-off projects.”
Amazon vs. Archbald
Governor Shapiro had previously announced a significant investment by Amazon Web Services (AWS) to establish data centers in Pennsylvania, promising extensive economic benefits and job creation. “AWS, they’re hiring 10,000 Pennsylvania trades people to do this work,” he noted, contrasting these plans with those in Archbald.
Unlike AWS, developers in Archbald have yet to present clear economic benefits, relying on data from other states, such as Virginia. This approach has been met with skepticism by residents.
Weeding out ‘speculators’
In Blakely, Shapiro introduced the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards, aimed at holding developers accountable. “If you choose to ignore GRID, you won’t get your tax break, and you won’t get your permits processed in any kind of timely manner,” Shapiro warned, emphasizing the need for transparency and commitment from developers.
Shapiro’s GRID initiative, first introduced during his February budget address, seeks to ensure that developers disclose operational plans, power sources, and provide community benefits while adhering to environmental standards. The governor also aims to amend the existing tax exemption program to require GRID certification for eligibility.
State Rep. Kyle Mullins plans to introduce legislation to formalize GRID, addressing the growing community concerns over the influx of data center proposals. “I can’t blame any of our residents, including those community advocates we met with, from feeling totally overwhelmed,” Mullins remarked.
Under current law, certified data center developers can benefit from sales and use tax exemptions. Shapiro intends for GRID certification to be a prerequisite for such benefits, reinforcing accountability within the industry.
As Shapiro concluded his visit to Archbald, he noted the significance of the day’s discussions, saying, “Today’s been really helpful for me to get out here, see it with my own eyes, listen to the people who are being impacted. I’m going to take their stories. I’m going to take the story of Archbald back with me as we do this work.”
