University Of Scranton, Partners Host March 30 In-Person Program On How A.I. Data Centers Are Reshaping Pennsylvania's Energy Landscape, Pearn Auditorium, Scranton

The University of Scranton, Clean Energy Group, Clean Air Council and the Physicians for Social Responsibility PA will host a March 30 in-person program on The High Cost Of A.I. - How Data Centers Are Reshaping Pennsylvania's Energy Landscape from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pearn Auditorium on the University campus in Scranton.

Join participants to hear a presentation on a new report, “The High Cost of AI: How Data Centers Are Reshaping Pennsylvania’s Energy Landscape,” which details the impacts of rising energy demand from data centers in Pennsylvania and explains how the current trajectory will increase fossil fuel energy generation, raise energy costs, and worsen local air quality.

The report includes recommendations on how community advocates and policymakers can push back against potentially harmful data center growth in their state.

Featured speakers include--

-- Eleanor Breslin, Senior Attorney, Clean Air Council

-- Josephine Gingerich, Health Advocacy Outreach Coordinator, Physicians for Social Responsibility PA

-- Eva Morgan, Project Manager, Clean Energy Group

The program is also co-sponsored by the University of Scranton (Laudato Si community engagement and ecological education subcommittees, Office of Community Relations, Environmental Studies Concentration and Ethics Across the Curriculum); Marywood University Environmental Studies Program; Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Click Here to register and for more information.

Calendar of Data Center Meetings

The Physicians for Social Responsibility PA have created a Calendar Of Data Center to help track meetings and hearings across the state.

Send email to: josephine@psrpa.org to add items to the calendar.

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

-- Penn State Extension Hosts March 31 Webinar - A.I. Data Centers In Pennsylvania Part 2 - Why Here? Why Now?  [PaEN] 

-- PJM Interconnection Latest Power Auction Results In $164.70/MW-Day Clearing Price, Well Below $329/MW-Day Price Cap, Below Collar Floor  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- PA Capital-Star: PA, Minnesota Announce Plans To Introduce A.I. Data Center Moratoriums

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader Guess Essay: PA Never Had A Plan To Prepare For A.I. Data Centers, We Need A Temporary Statewide Moratorium - By Bill Jones, Republican Candidate For PA House District 117 

-- Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania’s A.I. Data Center Boom, By The Numbers: 53 Data Center Proposals; State Could Lose $2 Billion In Tax Money; 800% Increase In PJM Power Costs

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: PA House Committee Advances Bill To Help Towns Set Guidelines On A.I. Data Center Construction

-- PA Rep. Craig Williams Says Harrisburg Needs To Codify ‘Promises’ Made By A.I. Data Center Companies

-- Spotlight PA: Shapiro Wants To Incentivize A.I. Data Centers To Be Better Neighbors; Will That Work?

-- Bloomberg: US Natural Gas Prices Following Global Prices Up And Down During President’s War With Iran 

-- Bloomberg: President’s War On Iran Is Good For America’s Natural Gas Industry

-- The Hill:  The President - ‘When Oil Prices Go Up, We [Oil Companies] Make A Lot Of Money’

-- Reuters: The President - US [Oil Companies] Benefit From High Oil Prices, But Priority Is Stopping Iran

-- Post-Gazette/Inside Climate News: Price Spikes Caused By President’s War On Iran Could Have Major Repercussions For US Electricity, Natural Gas Prices [60% Of PA’s Electric Is Generated Using Gas, But The Price Is Set By International Markets]

-- Reuters Commentary: Tracking LNG Natural Gas Flows As Key Global Prices Go Haywire; Prices Likely To Be Elevated For Some Time [60% Of PA’s Electric Is Generated Using Gas, But The Price Is Set By International Markets]

-- Financial Times: Iran War Energy Shock Will Force Businesses To Rethink Energy [Beyond Oil/Natural Gas] ‘No One Will Leave Themselves Exposed Like This Again’  [PDF of Article]

-- The Economist: An Attack On The World Economy - Whatever Happens In The Strait Of Hormuz, Energy Markets Have Been Changed For Ever  [PDF of Article]

-- Erie Times: Can Tech Companies Bring Their Own Electricity To Power A.I. Data Centers [Like They Promised The President] In PA?  [PDF of Article]

-- Kleinman Center For Energy Policy Blog: Risks In A Changing US Power Grid Driven By A.I. Data Center Demand

-- LehghValleyLive.com: New Jersey Promoting Community Solar Energy Projects That Offer Steep Cuts To Electric Bills [Why Not PA?]

-- WESA/NPR: Easy-To-Use, Plug-In Solar Energy Panels To Reduce Electric Bills Are Here, But Utilities Are Trying To Delay Them 

-- Scranton Times: City Of Scranton To Discuss Amending Zoning To Regulate A.I. Data Center At March 10 Meeting  [PDF of Article]

-- WNEP: Hearing On Proposed ‘Wildcat’ 14 Building A.I. Data Center In Archbald Gets Heated As Hundreds Express Environmental, Economic Concerns In Lackawanna County

-- Scranton Times: 14 Building ‘Wildcat’ A.I. Data Center Proposal Faces Major Opposition In Archbald [PDF of Article]

-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader: Luzerne County Officials Still Revising Proposed A.I. Data Center Zoning Ordinance Covering 19 Municipalities 

-- WNEP: A.I. Data Center Sketch Plan Proposed In Smithfield Twp., Monroe County

-- PennLive: Texas Company Spends $50 Million To Buy 11 More Acres In Dauphin County For Planned A.I. Data Center

-- Inquirer: Proposal To Make A.I. Data Center 60% Bigger To Be Considered By East Whiteland Twp. Supervisors In Chester County After Fiery Planning Commission Meeting

-- Observer-Reporter: North Franklin Twp. Considering A.I. Data Center Ordinance In Washington County 

-- WHYY: Electricity Rates Rising Along With Profits For Investor-Owned Utilities; How PECO’s Profits Impact Your Electricity Bill

-- WHYY - Susan Phillips: 20% Of Your Electric Bill Could Go To Electric Utility Profits

-- Scranton Times: PPL Utilities Profit Is Tops For Utilities In Northeast US 

-- PA Capital-Star: Utility Profits Rise As Household Bills Soar, New Analysis Finds

-- The Center Square: Electricity Consumer Protection A Work In Progress For PA Lawmakers

-- Utility Dive: PJM Now Using Ambient-Adjusted Transmission Line Ratings To Allow Fuller Use Of Line Capacity 

-- Wall Street Journal: The Electric Grid Needs Huge Upgrades To Meet A.I. Data Center Demand, No One Knows Who Will Pay For Them

-- AP: Virginia Has An A.I. Data Center Boon, State Officials Debate Whether It’s Time To Scrap Its Tax Breaks

[Posted: March 13, 2026]  PA Environment Digest