Clean Air Council, Environmental Health Project, Residents Urge State To Stop Headfirst Jump To Power A.I. Data Centers With Fossil Fuels

On November 18, the Clean Air Council, Rep. Christopher Rabb (D-Philadelphia), the Environmental Health Project and impacted residents gathered at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg to demand that Pennsylvania’s leaders end their plans to use fossil fuel power plants to power A.I. data centers across the Commonwealth. 

In July, Pennsylvania political leadership, including US Sen. Dave McCormick and Gov. Josh Shapiro, joined President Donald Trump and executives from ExxonMobil, Google, and BlackRock to announce more than $90 billion data center, power plant and other A.I. infrastructure  projects as part of Pennsylvania’s headfirst jump into the A.I. race. 

Harrisburg has fallen in line across the aisle to support rapid buildout of A.I. infrastructure, even though the new power plants being proposed to run data centers in Pennsylvania are almost universally plants that would burn shale natural gas. 

Science and experience tells us that this new fracking, and these new power plants, would pollute and sicken our region, said the groups.

Shapiro, Senator McCormick, President Trump, allied legislators, and powerful executives are attempting to make the A.I. boom seem inevitable and unstoppable, the groups said. 

In rejection of this vision of Pennsylvania's future and together with the majority of Americans who are concerned about the increased use of A.I., Clean Air Council, Rep. Rabb, Environmental Health Project, and impacted residents hosted a rally where speakers made it clear that this fossil fuel-backed industry is not welcome.

“The unchecked proliferation of data centers across Pennsylvania threatens our grid, our environment, and the well-being of communities already overburdened by pollution and corporate extraction,” said Rep. Rabb. “When private profit drives public risk, the legislature must draw a hard line to protect our residents, our land, and our energy future.”

“The data center boom is already straining Pennsylvania resources and raising utility bills for people across the state. Even worse, global data center emissions are projected to be 2.5 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030 – which is like adding an extra 116 million gasoline cars to the road,” said Clean Air Council Executive Director Alex Bomstein. “Pennsylvania should not push aside its own people in order to lead an industry that does incalculable harm to the environment and the economy.”

“We already know that there are myriad health and climate risks associated with fossil gas development—including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, birth impacts, cancers, heat-related illnesses, and insect-borne diseases,” said Environmental Health Project Executive Director Alison L. Steele. “A hyperscale data center boom that demands more fossil fuel consumption will make those health risks worse, not better.”

“Because of what my family has lived through, I know we deserve better,” said Shakira Johnson, Washington County Resident. “By choosing cleaner energy over fossil fuels, we can create a healthier, stronger future for everyone in southwestern Pennsylvania and Washington County.”

Related Articles This Week - A.I./Data Centers:

-- WHYY: PJM Electrical Grid To Decide Who Pays Bill For Massive A.I. Data Centers

-- PA Capital-Star: A.I. Data Center Growth Drives Communities In PA, Other States To Fight For More Say

-- TribLive: Springdale Planning Commission OKs A.I. Data Center Project; Proposal Moves To Council In Allegheny County

-- ABC6News: Developer Withdraws A.I. Data Center Plan In Plymouth Twp., Montgomery County After Legal Issue Halts Zoning Meeting

-- Morning Call: Plans For A.I. Data Center At Old Air Products Site In Upper Macungie Revealed 

-- Morning Call: Upper Macungie Proposes A.I. Data Center Ordinance As It Faces Plans For Development At Former Air Products HQ  [PDF of Article]

-- Post-Gazette: Nova Place Hits The Market As Potential A.I. Data Center Hub In Pittsburgh

-- OilPrice.com: The A.I. Boom Is Driving A Massive Geothermal Energy Revival 

Related Articles This Week - Natural Gas/Energy:

-- 500 Feet Isn’t Enough - House Hearing I: Shale Gas Industry Says Setbacks Won’t Protect Residents, Public Health, Environment From Shale Gas Operations, Only ‘Rigorous Oversight’ Will; Standards Have Not Changed In 9 Years  [PaEN] 

-- 500 Feet Isn't Enough- House Hearing II: As A Township Supervisor We Have An Obligation To Protect The Health, Safety And Welfare Of Our Township Residents From Shale Gas Development  [PaEN]

-- 500 Feet Isn't Enough - House Hearing III: What It’s Really Like Living Next To A Shale Gas Well Pad - Nosebleeds, Headaches, Nausea, Air Pollution, Vibrating House, Sleepless Nights, Anxiety, Truck Traffic  [PaEN]  

-- PUC: Natural Gas Utility Winter Reliability Reports Forecast Slightly Higher Usage, Costs  [PaEN]

-- North American Electric Reliability Corp: Electric Grid At Elevated Risk Of Insufficient Energy Supplies During Extreme Weather Due To Rising A.I. Data Center Demands, 'Precarious' Natural Gas Supplies  [PaEN]

-- PUC Sets Hearings On PPL Electric Proposed 7% Rate Increase Starting Dec. 8  [PaEN] 

-- Dept. Of Human Services Begins Accepting Applications For Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)  Dec. 3, After Federal Shutdown Delay  [PaEN] 

[Posted: November 18, 2025] PA Environment Digest