Fracking's New Friend: Hyperscale Data Centers

An example of a data center campus: Microsoft’s Agriport cloud data center in Middenmeer, Netherlands.

Up until this past year, many folks in our region had never thought about data centers, let alone the prospect of living next to one. Now, municipalities across our state are receiving many proposals for data center projects. A data center is a large warehouse-like building containing rows of networked computer services and equipment used for the remote processing, storage, and distribution of data. New generative AI, like ChatGPT, Grok, and Claude, use hyperscale data centers to power their operations. These facilities can cover hundreds of acres of land and require vast amounts of energy and water to operate.

If improperly managed, a sudden influx of hyperscale data centers could strain our grid and drive up electric bills for small businesses and residential ratepayers. To supplement energy needs, we may also see an increase in shale gas extraction (fracking) in our region to power data centers. Two of these recent data center proposals, in Upper Burrell and Homer City, would be built alongside gas-fired power plants. Generating 4.5 GW, if built, the Homer City site would become the largest gas-fired power plant in the nation, which raises concerns about air pollution. 

We see fracking and this new wave of AI data centers as intertwined. Data centers are the perfect excuse for oil and gas companies to continue the cycle of natural resource extraction in our communities—in fact, they’re already calling for an additional 1,800 well pads to meet demand. Many PA residents already struggle with negative health impacts, stress, and life disturbances from fracking operations extremely close to their homes, schools, and businesses. We face enough harms from industry as it is, and large scale data centers may only add to the burdens we face. 

Because of concerns like these, Protect PT is engaging with residents on the ground in communities like Springdale Borough, where a hyperscale data center has been proposed in the middle of town. If built, residents would live directly across a narrow street from the massive 565,000 square foot building and 200,000 square foot cooling facility. Residents are particularly concerned over the data center’s tremendous power draw of 180 megawatts. This is enough to power 150,000 homes - almost equivalent to the entire city of Pittsburgh! They also worry about the potential for noise and light pollution that could interfere with their daily lives.

An architectural rendering of the proposed Springdale data center, provided to the public at municipal meetings.

Protect PT is taking action. When we saw residents in need, we started canvassing in the community, attending municipal hearings, planning educational community meetings, and informing residents on how to navigate the municipal process. We are proud to support Springdale residents as they organize protests, deliver public comments, and create petitions. Some residents outright oppose the data center, and others are asking for protective conditions, but either way, our goal is for Springdale’s municipal leaders to hear their people and make a decision that puts residents first.

We are also monitoring the progress on a proposed data center right here in Westmoreland County, at the site of the old Alcoa research facility in Upper Burrell. This data center could consume up to 3 gigawatts (GW) of electricity using on-site gas wells and West Penn’s power supply. The developer has not yet started the approval process with the municipality.

If you’re concerned about this issue, we encourage you to contact your municipality to push for a protective ordinance to regulate data centers. An ordinance can restrict data centers to industrial zones, establish mandatory setbacks from residential zones, and set noise and light limitations. You can also contact your legislator! There are several bills being proposed to address data center impacts at the state level, and your input is valuable.

For more information, check out our data centers webpage and watch our AI data center webinars on YouTube. To sign up for email updates on our data centers work, fill out this form: www.protectpt.info/data-centers-interest-form.