Penn State Extension Hosts April 21 Webinar: Agriculture Meets Hyperscale A.I. Data Centers

The Penn State Extension hosts April 21 webinar on Agriculture Meets Hyperscale A.I. Data Centers from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

As interest in siting data centers on farmland grows, producers must carefully evaluate key considerations, including impacts on soil productivity, infrastructure, energy and water demands, tax implications, and the future viability of their operations, while seeking appropriate professional guidance. 

Although data center development may introduce challenges related to land use and resource competition, it can also offer potential benefits such as infrastructure improvements, expanded broadband access, and new energy opportunities. 

Through thoughtful collaboration among developers, farmers, community members, and local leaders, it is possible to balance economic opportunity with the long-term sustainability of agricultural land and rural communities.

Who is this for?

-- Local government officials and community leaders

-- Industry professionals and educators

-- Students and researchers

-- Members of the general public interested in energy and technology

-- Energy policymakers and regulators

What will you learn?

-- Key questions farmers should consider when approached about hosting a data center or leasing land (nonlegal guidance)

-- Challenges facing agriculture in relation to data center development, including land use, energy, and water demands

-- Potential areas of alignment between farms and data centers, such as infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, energy availability, and secondary energy uses

-- Parallels between hyperscale computing infrastructure and the evolving direction of modern agriculture

-- Approaches to constructive engagement among developers, farmers, community members, and local leaders

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other educational opportunities.

Upcoming Events

-- April 7-- Virtual. Penn State Extension Webinar On Data Centers - State And Local Regulation (Part 2). 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

-- April 18-- In-Person. PA Community Organizing Summit On A.I. Data Centers.  Pittsburgh.

Related Articles This Week:

-- PA House Passes Bill To Authorize Public Utility Commission To Regulate A.I. Data Centers To Make Them Pay Their Own Way  [PaEN]

-- PA House Passes Bill To Expand Solar Energy Electric Generation To Warehouses, Distribution Centers 

-- House Energy Committee Hears How Geothermal Energy Could Meet 100% Of PA’s Electricity, Heating Needs Offering True Energy Independence And Freedom From Foreign Energy Markets Costing Pennsylvanians Billions  [PaEN] 

-- PA Community Organizing Summit On A.I. Data Centers April 18 In Pittsburgh  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Green Group Calls For Halt To A.I. Data Centers In PA Until New Laws Are Passed

-- Pottstown Mercury: Model Data Center Zoning Ordinances Coming To The Fore  [PDF of Article]

-- TribLive: Digital Gold Rush: With The A.I. Data Center Boom Heading To Western PA, Virginia Offers A Roadmap And Warnings

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Seeks State Funding To Update Land Use Plan, Zoning Ordinances To Address A.I. Data Centers

-- Scranton Times: Ransom Twp. Planning Commission Discusses A.I. Data Center Ordinance

-- Scranton Times: Archbald, Jessup Boros Postponed A.I. Data Center Hearings

-- Inquirer: How Some PA Townships Fight A.I. Data Center Next Door

-- Inquirer: A.I. Data Centers Are Eyeing Counties Around Philadelphia Drawing Pushback From Residents Across The Region

-- LancasterOnline: Lancaster County To Get PA Taxpayer Funds For Emergency Planning Related To Restart Of Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant To Feed Microsoft A.I. Data Centers

-- The Daily Item: Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance To Host April 2 A.I. Data Center Discussion In Lewisburg 

-- WVIA: Residents, Elected Officials Want Gov. Shapiro’s PA Permit Fast Track Program To Slow Down When It Comes To A.I. Data Centers

-- Scranton Times: PPL To Hold March 31 Open House On A.I. Data Center Transmission Line, Infrastructure Projects In Archbald, Luzerne County Paid For By Ratepayers  [To Take 3 Years To Build]  [PDF of Article]

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Mystery Site For 4.3 GW Natural Gas Power Plant Site In SW PA Has Officials Wondering; Transmission Line Project May Hint At Site 

-- Utility Dive: NextEra To Develop 9.5 GW Of Natural Gas Power Generation In PA, TX [Still No Details Offered On Data Center Projects] 

-- Utility Dive Guest Essay: 5-Year Waits And Rising Costs For Natural Gas Generation Turbines Redefining The Energy Market - By Electric Power Research Institute [Utility Industry Group] 

-- Utility Dive: Better Grid Utilization Could Save Customers $170 Billion: Brattle Report

-- AP: President’s Administration’s $1 Billion Taxpayer Settlement With TotalEnergies Blocks 4 GW Of Much-Needed Wind Power Generation, Diverts Funding To Oil, Natural Gas Development

[Posted: March 28, 2026]  PA Environment Digest