Monday, June 9, 2025

Gov. Shapiro Announces Amazon Plans To Invest $20 Billion In Pennsylvania For A.I. Data Center Infrastructure; Amazon Told PUC It Has Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Goal By 2040

On June 9, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that Amazon is planning to invest at least $20 billion to establish multiple high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence [A.I.] innovation campuses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

This investment will create at least 1,250 high-paying, high-tech jobs.

 Salem Township, Luzerne County and Falls Township, Bucks County are the first communities identified as sites for these future campuses. Multiple additional Pennsylvania communities are under consideration.

“Pennsylvania is competing again – and I'm proud to announce that with Amazon's commitment of at least $20 billion to build new state-of-the-art data center campuses across our Commonwealth, we have secured the largest private sector investment in the history of Pennsylvania," said Gov. Josh Shapiro. "This initial investment from Amazon will create thousands of good-paying, stable jobs as Pennsylvania workers build, maintain, and operate the first two data center campuses in Luzerne County and Bucks County. 

“Our team worked closely with local leaders and Amazon to land this deal, and we continue to be actively engaged on securing additional sites in Pennsylvania – helping them secure local support, developing the infrastructure needed to support more data centers, and ensuring our permitting processes move quickly and efficiently. 

“With this historic announcement, we’re creating opportunity for our workers, generating new revenue for our local communities, and ensuring the future of AI runs right through Pennsylvania."

With this investment, the Shapiro Administration has secured more than $25.2 billion in private sector investment, creating nearly 11,000 new jobs since taking office.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and widely adopted cloud, enabling a new era of generative A.I. through strategic investments in advanced infrastructure, machine learning services, and agentic A.I. applications. 

Today’s announcement in Pennsylvania, alongside previous commitments made across the U.S. in recent months, further strengthens investments in generative AI and high-tech cloud infrastructure. 

These efforts reflect Amazon’s ongoing commitment to supporting U.S. leadership in A.I. and helping customers across all industries harness A.I.-driven solutions to transform operations and accelerate innovation. 

Millions of customers, including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies, rely on AWS to advance their A.I. journey, lower costs, increase agility, and drive innovation. 

These strategic investments in advanced computing infrastructure and specialized A.I. hardware are building the technology backbone for the next generation of generative and agentic A.I., and helping to secure America’s position at the forefront of global innovation.

“Amazon's multi-billion-dollar investment in Pennsylvania reinforces our dedication to advancing A.I. innovation while creating lasting economic opportunities in the state,” said David Zapolsky, Amazon's chief global affairs and legal officer. “By expanding our cloud computing infrastructure, we're investing in Pennsylvania's future through new jobs, workforce development programs, and community initiatives. We look forward to helping drive the next generation of technology innovation, while delivering meaningful benefits for Pennsylvania residents.”

“Pennsylvania is proud to have worked alongside our local partners in Salem Township, Luzerne County and Falls Township, Bucks County, to win today’s unprecedented $20 billion investment from Amazon. The company's data center campuses will drive enormous positive tax impacts for our Commonwealth, counties, and municipalities, and will create at least 1,250 high-paying, high-tech jobs as well as thousands of construction jobs,” said DCED Secretary Rick Siger. “Every state wants to win projects like this one. Thanks to Governor Shapiro’s leadership and his get-stuff-done attitude, Pennsylvania is winning them. Our Commonwealth is built on innovation and this project sends a clear, strong signal to the world that Pennsylvania Gets It Done.”

Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than $26 billion in Pennsylvania, including infrastructure and compensation to employees, and these latest facilities join a growing 

Amazon operations footprint across the Commonwealth that now includes 23 fulfillment and sortation centers and 20 last-mile delivery stations.

Click Here for Governor’s announcement.  Click Here for video from the event.

Amazon Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Goal

On April 24, Michael Fradette, Principal, Energy Services at Amazon Data Services, told a Public Utility Commission hearing on the impact of data centers on the state’s electric grid-- “The rapid growth of electricity demand presents both challenges and opportunities for the US energy infrastructure. 

“We understand the Commission's mandate to establish just and reasonable tariffs that provide open and non-discriminatory access to public utility systems while protecting existing customers from undue burdens and costs.

“At AWS, we share these concerns and are committed to being responsible partners in grid development and energy consumption.

“We've demonstrated this commitment through our Climate Pledge goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

“Additionally, all of the electricity consumed across our operations – including our data centers, corporate buildings, grocery stores, and fulfillment centers – is matched with 100% renewable energy, seven years ahead of schedule.

“We recognize that bringing on new sources of baseload, carbon-free energy is critical to meeting society's growing electricity needs and meeting our customers' demands.

“It is one of the reasons we are investing in a diverse portfolio of energy sources, including solar, wind, and advanced nuclear technologies.

“For instance, we've recently invested over $1 billion dollars in carbon free nuclear initiatives, including projects like the Susquehanna Nuclear Facility, and our equity investment in X-Energy to bring about 5 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2039.

“Amazon also supports expanding and modernizing the U.S. power grid, including upgrading the physical infrastructure with advanced technologies (e.g., smart meters, grid enhancing technologies, battery storage), and implementing policies that enable rapid modernization, so that we can realize the benefits of a modernized power grid built on low or carbon-free power sources more quickly.

“We are taking tangible steps to support these efforts. We are innovating across the energy sector to bring new carbon-free power sources forward, encouraging investment in grid modernization technologies, and urging policymakers across the country to implement policies to accelerate grid modernization efforts.

“That said, speed to market, coupled with ensuring we pay for our fair allocation of the costs to serve the electricity we consume, continues to be a priority as we work to meet growing demand from our customers, which directly influences how and where we make investments in both data center growth and energy development.”

Click Here for more from the April 24 PUC hearing on data center impacts on electric grid.

Resource Links:

-- Gov. Shapiro Provides Update On The Fight To Lower Energy Prices, Calls On General Assembly To Move His Commonsense Lightning Energy Plan  [PaEN] 

-- Rise Of The Machines:  Senate, House Members Express Concern That Demand For Power To Run Computers Is Impacting The Price And Availability Of Electricity For ‘Ordinary People’  [5.12.25]

-- PUC Hearing On Data Center Growth Impacts Finds 30-40% Of Utility Demand Could Be From Data Centers; Concerns About Stranded Costs; Major Commitments To Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Energy Use [PaEN]

-- PUC House Budget Hearing: We Aren’t Going To Build Our Way Out Of Electric Generation Shortfalls On PJM Grid; We Need To Diversify Our Generation Sources   [PaEN]

-- PUC Invites Stakeholder Comments On The Issue Of The Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania  [Background On Issue]  [PaEN]

-- 30 Stakeholder Comments Received By PUC On Adequacy Of Electricity Supplies In Pennsylvania; Increasing Natural Gas Power Plant Reliability To 90-95% Would Mean No Imminent Capacity Problem  [PaEN]

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - June 14 [PaEN] 

-- DEP Posted 96 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In June 14 PA Bulletin  [PaEN]  

Related Articles This Week:

-- DEP: Widespread Non-Compliance With Environmental Laws Continues In Conventional Oil & Gas Industry;  3,108+ Abandoned Wells; At Least 85% Conventional Well Owners Fail To Submit Production, Waste, Well Integrity Reports  [PaEN]

-- DEP’s Oil & Gas Advisory Board Meets June 25 On Well Development Pipelines; Wastewater Management Practices; Future Well Plugging Funding Needs  [PaEN] 

-- PA Senate Republicans Pass Bill To Roll Back Environmental, Health, Safety Regulations By Doing Nothing And Avoiding Accountability  [PaEN]

-- Delaware River Frack Ban Coalition Launch Initiative To Defend The Delaware River Watershed From Oil & Gas Fracking  [PaEN] 

-- Plum Borough Zoning Hearing Board Voted To Deny Penneco Environmental's Application For Another Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In Allegheny County  [PaEN] 

-- Protect PT, Partners To Host June 25 Webinar: 5 Years Later - A Progress Report On PA's Grand Jury Report On Fracking  [PaEN] 

-- $100/Well Bounty Established For Previously Unknown Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned By Conventional Well Owners Under New Program Funded By Oil Region Alliance; 4 Penn State Extension Workshops Set  [PaEN] 

-- DEP Reviewing Permits For Drinking Water Treatment System To Provide Water For 21 Homes In Dimock, Susquehanna County Whose Wells Were Contaminated By Shale Gas Drilling 20 Years Ago 

-- 25 Environmental Groups; Local Government Associations Oppose House Bill To Fast Track Large-Scale Energy Generation, Storage Projects Proposed By Gov. Shapiro  [PaEN]

-- Lead Counsel On Court Cases Striking Down Provisions In Act 13 To Preempt Local Regulation Of Oil & Gas Operations Raises Concerns About Proposed Legislation Establishing A RESET Board To Site Large Energy Projects  [PaEN] 

-- Gov. Shapiro Announces Amazon Plans To Invest $20 Billion In Pennsylvania For A.I. Data Center Infrastructure; Amazon Told PUC It Has Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Goal By 2040  [PaEN]  

-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For 72 - 2.5 MW Diesel-Fired Emergency Generators At New Amazon Data Services Data Center In Bucks County  [PaEN]

-- PA Trout Unlimited, 17 Other Environmental, Conservation Organizations Expressed Opposition To Proposed DEP Changes To Spill Reporting Requirements  [PaEN]

-- Republican Sen. Hutchinson Introduces Bill To Abolish DEP Climate Change, Recycling Fund, Coastal Zone Advisory Committees  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Rep. Vitali: PA House Environmental Committee Examines Problem Of Abandoned Oil & Gas Wells

-- The Center Square: Higher Plugging Bonds Floated To Help The State’s Abandoned Conventional Well Problem

-- MCall: Is Ban On Fracking In Delaware Watershed At Risk?  Advocates Put Out A Call To Action

-- TribLive: Plum Zoning Board Rejects Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well After Lengthy Battle In Allegheny County; Company Plans To Appeal  

-- Capital & Main - Audrey Carleton: Pennsylvania Has Failed Environmental Justice Communities For Years; A New Bill Could Change That 

-- Inquirer/Capital & Main- Audrey Carleton: Pennsylvania Has Failed Environmental Justice Communities For Years, A New Bill Could Change That

-- Beaver Times/Inside Climate News- Jon Hurdle: PA Fracking Company Surrenders Water Permits, Can’t Get Enough Water Out Of Big Sewickley Creek In Beaver County

-- TribLive: President Coming To Pittsburgh For PA US Senator McCormick’s July 15 PA Energy & Innovation Summit  

-- Sen. McCormick: President Coming To July 15 PA Energy Innovation Summit In Pittsburgh

-- The Allegheny Front: Pittsburgh 2030 District Buildings Reduce Carbon Emissions By 50%

-- Observer-Reporter Guest Essay: A Future Fueled By Washington County - By Electra Janis, Washington County Commissioner [Hydrogen Hub]

-- Marcellus Shale Gas Coalition: Read The Letters Rejected By The Post-Gazette, Inquirer From The Shale Gas Industry

-- Wall Street Journal: US Electric Bills Headed Higher: Forecast Of Hotter-Than-Normal Summer, More Expensive Natural Gas Mean Pricier Power 

-- Utility Dive: A.I. Data Centers Could Overwhelm The Electric Grid, Unless They Are Required To Run Their Facilities On New Power Sources, Market Analytics Says  

-- Reuters: Data Center Demand To Push US Power Use To Record Highs In 2025-26, EIA Says

-- EarthJustice: 12 Groups File Lawsuit Challenging President Issued Unlawful Exemptions From Mercury, Arsenic Standards For 68 Coal Plants By Email

[Posted: June 9, 2025]  PA Environment Digest

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