Amid growing concerns over the rapid development of data centers, Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan has made a bold appeal to Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. His request? A three-year statewide pause on approving new large-scale data centers.
Gaughan’s call for a moratorium stems from a perceived lack of comprehensive regulations needed to manage the burgeoning industry effectively. “To me, a moratorium means a pause. Let’s just stop this for three years so that we can study it and make sure that we know of the environmental issues, all of the impact on water, electricity, so on and so forth,” Gaughan expressed.
Growing Concerns Over Data Center Expansion
Lackawanna County has become a hotspot for data center proposals, with at least 11 data center campuses in the pipeline, six of which are planned for Archbald. Many of these projects lack identified end users, raising questions about their future operation.
The industry’s substantial energy and water demands are a significant concern. A single data center can consume over 300,000 gallons of water daily, akin to the usage of 1,000 homes, according to the Environmental Law Institute. This high consumption is attributed to the need for cooling, and proximity to power is one reason developers are drawn to Pennsylvania.
Residents across the region, not just in Lackawanna, are seeking more information on how these developments might affect their daily lives. Gaughan noted, “These people are crying out for help, and they’re not doing it just because they have nothing else to do. They’re doing it because these are their homes … this is their property, and they’re very concerned.”
Proposed Legislative Measures
In his letter to the governor, Gaughan suggested several legislative actions to be considered during the moratorium. These include conducting a thorough study on the energy and water impacts, developing uniform standards for infrastructure, and examining taxation frameworks to ensure fair community compensation.
Additionally, he urged for the prohibition of nondisclosure agreements that prevent local officials from sharing project information with the public, advocating for transparency and open-meeting principles.
Shapiro’s Response and GRID Standards
Governor Shapiro has acknowledged the community’s concerns in his budget address, where he introduced GRID — the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development standards. The standards emphasize self-sufficiency in power generation, transparency, community engagement, local employment, and environmental protection.
Shapiro stated, “I know Pennsylvanians have real concerns about these data centers and the impact they could have on our communities, our utility bills and our environment. And so do I.” He also highlighted the need for transparency, saying, “Too many of these projects have been shrouded in secrecy, with local communities left in the dark about who is coming in and what they’re building. That needs to change.”
Shapiro’s administration is eager to collaborate with stakeholders and the General Assembly to implement these GRID principles. In a recent podcast interview, Shapiro expressed support for communities opposing data centers in residential areas, stating, “And by the way, I agree with them. I wouldn’t want that there, and we’re not going to support those projects.”
While Shapiro has previously welcomed tech investments, such as Amazon Web Services’ $20 billion commitment to the state, Gaughan believes more needs to be done to ensure communities benefit from such developments without compromising their environment.
Concerns About Long-Term Impacts
Drawing parallels to the region’s coal mining history, Gaughan cautioned against repeating past mistakes. He cited his great-grandfather’s efforts to hold the coal industry accountable, emphasizing the lasting impact of insufficient regulation.
“We haven’t studied it enough yet. There are so many bills now that are being talked about, introduced, discussed in the Pennsylvania State Senate and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Why are we putting the cart before the horse?” Gaughan questioned, urging for a unified regulatory approach before altering Lackawanna County’s landscape.
