Republican gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity renewed her call Monday for an indefinite pause on major data center development projects in Pennsylvania, arguing that local governments need more time to prepare for the industry’s growing impact on communities.Garrity, Pennsylvania’s state treasurer, met with county and municipal leaders in Cumberland County to discuss concerns about the electricity and water demands associated with large-scale data centers, which are increasingly sought by technology and artificial intelligence companies.The proposal has become a point of contrast between Garrity and Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro as data center development expands across the state.Garrity said a pause would give local officials time to update zoning ordinances and establish safeguards for communities that could become sites for future projects.”I think we do need a pause,” said Chris Weidenhammer, a Fairview Township supervisor who participated in the discussion. “And I think we all need to be on the same page so that there’s some uniformity.” Asked whether her proposal could send the wrong message to businesses considering Pennsylvania, Garrity said some of those corporations have indicated they’re not thrilled with her proposal, but local officials have repeatedly told her they want a greater role in the process.”They all want to talk about it, and there’s frustration, there’s confusion. People thinking again that it’s going to go in their backyard. They’re afraid their lands, they’re worried about farmland. I mean, these concerns have to be addressed,” Garrity said. Shapiro’s approachShapiro has taken a different approach, proposing tax incentives and expedited permitting for companies that build or bring their own power generation and pay the costs of connecting to the electric grid.In a statement, a spokesperson for Shapiro’s campaign said Garrity has been inconsistent in her position on data center development and defended the governor’s strategy.”The governor has made it clear that while we compete for major projects and lead on innovation, we must set strict standards and ensure these projects benefit our communities and don’t impose costs on Pennsylvanians,” the spokesperson said. “That’s what he is focused on getting done.”Lawmakers dividedThe debate has also divided lawmakers in Harrisburg. Some legislators from both parties have called for a statewide moratorium on data center construction, while others favor a more targeted regulatory approach.State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin County, said he is not convinced a moratorium is the best solution.”At least we are trying to take steps to do something,” Fleming said. “I don’t know that a moratorium is necessarily the answer, but we’ll see.”
HARRISBURG, Pa. —
Republican gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity renewed her call Monday for an indefinite pause on major data center development projects in Pennsylvania, arguing that local governments need more time to prepare for the industry’s growing impact on communities.
Garrity, Pennsylvania’s state treasurer, met with county and municipal leaders in Cumberland County to discuss concerns about the electricity and water demands associated with large-scale data centers, which are increasingly sought by technology and artificial intelligence companies.
The proposal has become a point of contrast between Garrity and Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro as data center development expands across the state.
Garrity said a pause would give local officials time to update zoning ordinances and establish safeguards for communities that could become sites for future projects.
“I think we do need a pause,” said Chris Weidenhammer, a Fairview Township supervisor who participated in the discussion. “And I think we all need to be on the same page so that there’s some uniformity.”
Asked whether her proposal could send the wrong message to businesses considering Pennsylvania, Garrity said some of those corporations have indicated they’re not thrilled with her proposal, but local officials have repeatedly told her they want a greater role in the process.
“They all want to talk about it, and there’s frustration, there’s confusion. People thinking again that it’s going to go in their backyard. They’re afraid their lands, they’re worried about farmland. I mean, these concerns have to be addressed,” Garrity said.
Shapiro’s approach
Shapiro has taken a different approach, proposing tax incentives and expedited permitting for companies that build or bring their own power generation and pay the costs of connecting to the electric grid.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Shapiro’s campaign said Garrity has been inconsistent in her position on data center development and defended the governor’s strategy.
“The governor has made it clear that while we compete for major projects and lead on innovation, we must set strict standards and ensure these projects benefit our communities and don’t impose costs on Pennsylvanians,” the spokesperson said. “That’s what he is focused on getting done.”
Lawmakers divided
The debate has also divided lawmakers in Harrisburg. Some legislators from both parties have called for a statewide moratorium on data center construction, while others favor a more targeted regulatory approach.
State Rep. Justin Fleming, D-Dauphin County, said he is not convinced a moratorium is the best solution.
“At least we are trying to take steps to do something,” Fleming said. “I don’t know that a moratorium is necessarily the answer, but we’ll see.”