U.S. Senator Dave McCormick observed that data centers remind him “a little bit of fracking 15 years ago,” because of similar pushback over environmental concerns. He suggests both are good for Pennsylvania’s economy, but fracking has proven to be an economic disappointment to communities throughout the region. It also poses costly health hazards, which dozens of epidemiological studies illustrate. Now, those who tout the benefits of gas-fired data centers seem to be forcing Pennsylvanians down a similar path toward more economic and health harms.

Data centers that rely on fossil gas aren’t like fracking; they are an extension of fracking. In fact, the Appalachian AI Energy Conference estimated an additional 1,800 fracking wells, plus associated infrastructure, such as pipelines and compressor stations, would be necessary to support the proposed regional data center buildout. Repeating history with the same fuel and industry, gas-fired data centers represent similar health risks to communities as other gas facilities.

Pennsylvania’s lessons from rushing into fracking teach us that now is the time to slow down, invite meaningful input from community members about proposed data centers, and adopt cleaner, renewable energy sources that pose fewer health hazards and support a robust, green economy.

Alison L. Steele

Hazelwood

The writer is executive director of the Environmental Health Project.

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