The United States is in an international race to lead advancements in AI, with $2.3 trillion<\/a> in data center projects underway or in the planning stages across the country. Pennsylvania, with more than 100 proposed projects, is among the hot spots targeted by developers for its key location near top U.S. metropolitan areas, vast rural space for building, and significant energy resources. <\/p>\n Gov. Josh Shapiro<\/a> originally welcomed data center developments to the state, and last year championed a $20 billion investment<\/a> from Amazon to build at least two data center campuses in Bucks and Luzerne Counties. He also offered developers fast-track permitting in an attempt to establish Pennsylvania as a leader in AI development.<\/p>\n But in a year\u2019s time, public animosity toward data centers has grown in Pennsylvania and beyond, as residents say they fear the facilities will drive up electricity costs, overuse water supplies, depreciate home values, and disrupt their daily lives. Last week, Shapiro, a Democrat running for reelection in November and a 2028 presidential prospect, announced plans to restrict data center development in the state. <\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: In a major shift, Gov. Josh Shapiro restricts data center development in Pennsylvania<\/a><\/p>\n Shapiro said his position on data centers evolved as he listened to more constituents who live in areas like Archbald, a small northeastern Pennsylvania town with six data center campuses under construction<\/a>, and pointed to a developer in Montgomery County<\/a> who he said is \u201cbullying\u201d residents to push projects through amid public opposition.<\/p>\n Pennsylvania\u2019s youngest voters were most likely to reject data centers, according to the poll: 83% of likely voters ages 18 to 29 opposed their development, as did 71% of voters ages 30 to 44. Opposition, while above 50% for all age groups, decreased among older voters.<\/p>\n Kelly Harrison, 29, of Conshohocken<\/a>, who participated in the poll, said she has been attending Plymouth Township Council meetings to oppose a controversial proposal for a 2 million-square-foot data center project<\/a> there.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of my concerns about that specific data center are selfish in the sense that I think my home value is going to go down, I think it\u2019s going to be loud and obstructive, I think it\u2019s going to pollute the air that I want to breathe every day,\u201d Harrison said. \u201cBut in a wider sense, I\u2019m also concerned about the environmental impacts of data centers.\u201d<\/p>\n Front and center in the Pa. governor\u2019s race and beyond<\/p>\n Data centers have become a key issue in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, where Shapiro hopes to ride his high popularity to reelection<\/a> and usher in Democratic gains in down-ballot races for the statehouse and Congress.<\/p>\n Both Shapiro and his Republican opponent, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity<\/a>, have released ads criticizing the other\u2019s past support for data center development. <\/p>\n The issue also is animating down-ballot races across the state<\/a>, where candidates from both parties are campaigning on their opposition to data center development.<\/p>\n Democratic and Republican politicians across the country have reversed course on data centers<\/a> in recent months as the projects have grown increasingly unpopular.<\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: Does Pennsylvania now have \u2018the strictest guardrails in the nation\u2019 for data centers?<\/a><\/p>\n Prior to Shapiro\u2019s announcement last week touting the \u201cstrictest guardrails in the nation\u201d for data center development, his support for the projects appeared to be one of the major tests of his popularity. A Quinnipiac University poll published in July found that while 56% of voters approved of Shapiro overall, only 24% approved of how he was handling data center development<\/a> in Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n And some Pennsylvanians who had voted for Shapiro in 2022 said his support for the developments had caused them to contemplate sitting out the November election or writing in a different candidate<\/a> for governor.<\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: How Josh Shapiro\u2019s early embrace of data centers is testing his high popularity in Pennsylvania<\/a><\/p>\n For some voters, like Montiese McKenzie, Shapiro\u2019s change in position has been enough.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very proud of Gov. Shapiro for being anti-data center,\u201d said McKenzie, 48, of West Philadelphia<\/a>. The Democratic voter said she fears that poor communities will face disproportionate consequences of the construction of AI data centers. <\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens will be very important for how I see him as a future leader,\u201d McKenzie said.<\/p>\n Still, Shapiro\u2019s recent change in position has not wooed all Pennsylvania voters.<\/p>\n
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