Residents Protest Outside Invite-Only Meeting Between Washington County Commissioners, Developers, A.I. Data Center Reps

On March 12, more than a dozen local residents joined organizers with Center for Coalfield Justice outside The George Washington Hotel on March 12 to raise concerns about an invite-only ‘Data Center Happy Hour’ hosted by data center operators, development companies and other stakeholders.

Demonstrators held signs, gave speeches and led chants calling out Washington County Commissioners for making backroom deals on data center projects without listening to concerns from the residents who will be forced to live near them.

“We’ve been speaking at public meetings, signing petitions, writing our lawmakers, doing everything we can to get more transparency around these data centers from our lawmakers and how do the Commissioners respond? A closed-door happy hour with executives that excludes the people who will have to deal with the impacts of these facilities,” said Heather Martin, a Washington County resident. “We deserve to have our voices heard throughout the decision-making process, not just as an afterthought once a deal has been struck.”

“Today is just another example of Nick Sherman and other elected officials in Washington County putting corporate interests ahead of engaging with the communities they are supposed to represent,” said Sarah Martik, Executive Director at Center for Coalfield Justice. “He and the other Commissioners would rather schmooze over drinks with industry than talk to residents about what policies and priorities could actually create real, lasting, equitable change for them.”

Visit the Center for Coalfield Justice website to learn more.

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[Posted: March 12, 2026]  PA Environment Digest