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Public backlash against data centers is rising. Politicians are playing catchup
Public sentiment against data centers is running high this election season, leaving politicians of all stripes scrambling to respond. We look at how this is playing out in Pennsylvania.
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WASHINGTON: Public sentiment against data centers is running high this election season, leaving politicians of all stripes scrambling to respond. We look at how this is playing out in Pennsylvania.
The public backlash to data centers is moving so fast that politicians have been rushing to keep up. In Pennsylvania, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro is running for reelection. Both he and Stacy Garrity, his Republican opponent, have been trying to respond to this backlash. Kat Bolus from member station WVIA in Pittston, Pennsylvania, has this report.
KAT BOLUS, BYLINE: Just over a year ago, Governor Josh Shapiro touted the investment of some $20 billion by Amazon to build data centers in the state.
JOSH SHAPIRO: For too long, we've watched as towns across Pennsylvania got hollowed out and left behind. No more. Now is our time to rebuild those communities and invest in them.
BOLUS: The next day, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity celebrated the Amazon investment. She posted on X, it will create thousands of jobs for Pennsylvanians. She's running against Shapiro now. On Talk Radio 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia, she mentioned areas of rural Pennsylvania and said...
STACY GARRITY: What perfect places to put data centers.
BOLUS: That was last year. Now around 100 data centers are proposed across the state. Pennsylvanians packed meeting halls to demand their lawmakers slow down the industry. And in the governor's race, Garrity has now called for a pause on data centers.
This Bay News report is based on originating coverage from NPR.