Cite the record, then act.

A Big Coal Plant Was Just Imploded to Make Way for an AI Data Center ↗

National scoop on the March 22, 2025 implosion of the Homer City coal stacks. Frames the 4.5 GW campus as emblematic of Big Tech's pivot to natural gas for round-the-clock AI power. The site, if built out, would 'nearly power Manhattan' — roughly equivalent to Georgia's Vogtle nuclear plant.

• ■4.5 GW capacity
• ■implosion March 22 2025
• ■3,200 acres
• ■~50 mi east of Pittsburgh

Largest US gas-fired power plant planned for data centers in Pennsylvania ↗

The cleanest, most fact-dense early account. Disclosed Knighthead Capital owns ~75% of Homer City Holdings (GoldenTree ~12%) and that the project received a $5M state grant for the Texas Eastern pipeline interconnect. Seven GE Vernova 7HA.02 hydrogen-enabled turbines; $10B initial investment.

• ■Knighthead ~75% / GoldenTree ~12% ownership
• ■$5M state grant · pipeline interconnect
• ■7× GE Vernova 7HA.02 turbines
• ■PJM + NYISO grid interconnections

To Feed Data Centers, Pennsylvania Faces a New Fracking Surge ↗

The most insightful long-form piece in the corpus. Pairs Homer City with the 2022 EQT frac-out that contaminated Liz Pebley's well with methane, arsenic, and barium. The chain-of-custody argument is the contribution: more gas-fired data centers means more wells means more frac-outs.

• ■~17M tons CO₂/yr projected
• ■2× former coal plant output

“The reflexive response is always 'drill more,' so I think the likelihood is that you are going to see increases in drilling.”

Pa. environmental groups appeal permit for massive gas power plant meant to fuel data center ↗

Clean Air Council, PennFuture, and Sierra Club appeal DEP's air-quality plan approval to the Environmental Hearing Board. A Right-to-Know request surfaced a DEP staffer describing the goal as providing 'concierge level of service' to HCR.

“DEP's job is to protect us and to protect Pennsylvania residents... Their duty is not to be a concierge for industry.”

Bad Data: What to Know About Homer City's New Plant ↗

Sharpest technical critique of HCR's '60–65% cleaner per MWh' framing. With doubled output, total emissions are roughly 75% of the old coal plant. New stacks are ~190 feet (~25% the height of the demolished coal stacks) with 28% lower exit velocity — meaning worse local dispersion. ~250 new fracked wells needed every five years.

In Western Pennsylvania, a former coal town gets a gas-fired data center ↗

Ground-level reporting from Indiana County. Captures the human texture: farmer Rick Fabin enthusiastic; third-generation farmer Dave Bork refuses to sell his 800-acre cattle operation and notes the IT jobs aren't for 'people that come from Homer City.'

HCR Announces Agreement in Principle for EQT to Supply Nation's Largest Gas-Powered Data Center Campus ↗

Primary-source procurement record. Up to 665,000 MMBTU/day from EQT, dual-sourced via Texas Eastern Transmission and Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage. Self-described as 'one of the largest single-site natural gas purchases in North American history.'

• ■665,000 MMBTU/day max
• ■agreement in principle, not final contract

Homer City Generation Site Redevelopment — DEP regulatory record ↗

Authoritative regulatory record. Permit Plan Approval 32-00457A issued Nov 18, 2025 (in 157 days vs. ~285 expected). Title V Operating Permit 32-00055 renewed Feb 26, 2026. Pipeline NPDES draft notice PAD320011 (May 2026). Site address: 1750 Powerplant Rd, Homer City, PA 15748.

Homer City power plant water usage remains unclear ↗

Best investigative piece on the unresolved water question. HCR has not specified withdrawal amounts from Two Lick Creek; detailed data won't appear until the NPDES permit is filed. The previous coal plant pulled 5.6 MGD in 2020; hyperscalers can use 1–5 MGD for cooling on top of that.

Sen. Dave McCormick gets update on Homer City data center project, pitches permit reform ↗

McCormick uses Homer City as the platform for federal permit reform: one-year hard deadlines on federal waterway permits, restricted judicial review, 60-year nuclear license extensions.

“[Environmental laws] have been hijacked by environmental activists … as a way to drag out the process and ultimately kill the process.”

Homer City Redevelopment: Not a done deal ↗

Recaps the September 2025 DEP air-quality hearing where Sen. Joe Pittman testified personally in favor of the gas plant — the same plan-approval (32-00457A) that Clean Air Council, PennFuture, and Sierra Club later appealed. Concerned Residents of Western PA (CROW) drew 220 attendees opposing the project; HCR is majority-owned by NY private-equity firm Knighthead Capital.

“We're bringing (power) supply to the market that is needed… sounds like a win-win.”

DEP: CNX pipeline project in Westmoreland County withdrawn for lacking wildlife permits ↗

PADEP told CNX Midstream on Feb 26, 2024 that the 13.9-mile Slickville Trunkline was 'withdrawn' for missing the USFWS clearance window. The route would have crossed 25 streams and 39 wetlands near the Beaver Run Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to ~130,000 people. Endangered Indiana and northern long-eared bats, plus tri-colored bats and bald eagles, were in scope.

“One of the things that they have to do is get a certificate from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to explain that their work won't impact threatened and endangered species, and they failed to do this.”

Environmental groups appeal Slickville pipeline project permit ↗

After PADEP reissued Chapter 102 and 105 permits in October 2024, Protect PT and Three Rivers Waterkeeper filed an Environmental Hearing Board appeal. Reports CNX Midstream's compliance record at 290 violations through May 2024 with 53 open. Permit-acreage discrepancy: 31 permitted vs. 228 acres in project description.

CNX Kiski Water Line — primary-source description ↗

CNX's own release identifies the MAWC Beaver Run Reservoir as the PRIMARY water source for the 5.7-mile 20-inch HDPE line — not the Kiskiminetas. The Kiski intake is described as a future, regulatory-pending capability for 'high-flow periods.' CNX 2023 purchases from MAWC: ~10M gallons; through mid-April 2024: ~53M gallons. The campaign brief's 'withdrawing from the Kiskiminetas' framing should be corrected against this primary source.

DEP issues violation to CNX Gas Company for unauthorized Beaver Run withdrawal ↗

PADEP NOV: 389,518 gallons of unauthorized withdrawal from Beaver Run Reservoir (HQ-CWF) over 17 days (May 6–July 6, 2023), under expired Water Management Plan authorization. CNX self-reported July 14, 2023. The cleanest documented PADEP enforcement against CNX in the BP6 / Armstrong County footprint. DEP required a corrective plan within 10 business days.

PADEP Chapter 105 Joint Permit E6507223-009 — CNX Beaver Run intake ↗

Two submerged intake structures on the Beaver Run Reservoir (HQ-CWF). Intake screens < 0.1 inches; intake velocity < 0.5 ft/sec (PFBC fish-protective design). Permit cites compliance under CNX's Water Management Plan WMP-159257-5 (approved Oct 31, 2023). Permit application re-noticed in PA Bulletin on April 4, 2026 for a permanent submerged intake; public comment window closed May 4, 2026.

Mamont Impoundment — PADEP General Residual Waste Permit WMGR123 ↗

WMGR123 issued April 25, 2025 for the broader Mamont centralized water-storage operation. The older Mamont South single cell (PADEP Dam Safety permit 95-7-37312-20, 2013) is documented at 35 acre-feet ≈ 11.4M gallons. Secondary coverage cites total ~880,000 bbl / ~37M gal across the facility — primary verification requires pulling the issued WMGR123 application file from PADEP eLibrary. Air-quality Plan Approval exemption granted under Exemption #38(c) + #44 on a PADEP RFD finding of ~0.28 tons/yr VOC.

CNX plan to turn mine gas into jet fuel a 'win-win', or carbon accounting 'gimmick'? ↗

Penn's Danny Cullenward and Princeton's Wilson Ricks explain that CNX's methodology could let only ~25% of feedstock come from mine gas while still qualifying for the full 45V hydrogen tax credit — potentially $40.8M–$204M/yr over a decade.

“We're basically talking about the federal government giving what is potentially the most generous tax credit in U.S. energy policy history to the fossil fuel production process.”

CNX sues nonprofit news outlet for defamation over fracking coverage ↗

CNX filed federal defamation suit in the Western District of Pennsylvania against Capital & Main over its September 2024 reporting on CNX air-monitoring sites. The pattern: CNX punching outward at critics, including environmental organizations and journalists.

“We are not going to be intimidated by a baseless lawsuit.”

Not-So-Radical Transparency: CNX-Shapiro Partnership ↗

Categorizes CNX's voluntary monitoring program as PR. Reports 542 violations across 101 inspections since 2020, a 2021 criminal conviction for emissions misreporting, and a $200K fine for fracking-fluid spills. CNX's nine voluntary monitoring sites exclude violations and trade-secret chemical names.

Nick DeIuliis retirement; Alan Shepard succession ↗

DeIuliis retired as CEO effective Dec 31, 2025; CFO Alan K. Shepard became President & CEO Jan 1, 2026. DeIuliis remains on the board. The Zediker pivot, the Capital & Main suit, and the Drakulic litigation all crystallized in DeIuliis's final months.

Freeport Township: Liz Pebley's well, contaminated by EQT (2022) ↗

Freeport Township resident Liz Pebley, 68, has been on a 'water buffalo' tank since 2022 after an EQT frac-out contaminated her well with methane, arsenic, and barium. Freeport Township is in Armstrong County, directly adjacent to Armstrong County across the Allegheny River — the chain-of-custody precedent for what gas-fired data center expansion means in this corridor.

“Unconventional oil and gas development has led to the loss of water resources... As fracking expands to meet data center power needs, conditions will get worse for the people of western Pennsylvania.”

Washington County acreage pitched as 'carbon-neutral' data center development ↗

1,500 acres in South Strabane Township marketed for hyperscale on a 'remediated mine gas' blend. The carbon-neutral framing rests on CNX's RMG accounting — the same framing the Allegheny Front documented in 2024 as a 'gimmick' per Penn and Princeton experts.

JLL Announces Major Data Center Development Site in Washington County, Pennsylvania ↗

Primary-source MW number. 500–700 MW capacity, FirstEnergy grid territory, Marcellus + Utica gas, 'net-zero power capability.'

• ■500–700 MW
• ■FirstEnergy territory
• ■400 of 1,500 acres buildable

Large tract of South Strabane Township land pitched as potential AI data center ↗

Names local officials and captures the gap between county-level enthusiasm and township-level skepticism.

“Nothing has come through the township yet. I think this is all speculation.”

Constellation plans 2028 restart of Three Mile Island unit 1, spurred by Microsoft PPA ↗

835 MW; ~$1.6B investment; 20-year PPA; restart targeted 2028; license extension sought through 2054.

DEP Invites Comments On Section 401 Water Quality Certification — TMI restart ↗

Up to 73.2 million gallons/day peak withdrawal from the Susquehanna; up to 21.0 MGD consumptive use; max discharge temp 110°F.

• ■73.2 MGD peak withdrawal
• ■21 MGD consumptive use
• ■110°F max discharge

'Feels like a charade': Residents push back on feds over restart of Three Mile Island ↗

Best local-voice piece. Surfaces the evacuation-impossibility argument — the strongest organizing frame for the 10-mile emergency planning zone.

“It's energy, it's Microsoft, it's profits — like always — and it certainly feels like a charade.”

FERC rejects interconnection pact for Talen-Amazon data center deal at nuclear plant ↗

FERC voted 2–1 (Christie/See denying; Phillips dissenting) to reject PJM's amended ISA expanding AWS behind-the-meter draw at Susquehanna from 300 MW to 480 MW (path to 960 MW). Constellation stock dropped 12.6%; Talen 8%.

“PJM has not met its burden to show that these provisions are necessary for any interest unique to the interconnection.”

Talen to sell Amazon 1.9 GW from Susquehanna nuclear plant ↗

After the November 2024 rejection, Talen and AWS restructured the deal as a 1,920 MW 'front-of-the-meter' PPA through 2042 — a relabeling that takes the ~$18B arrangement outside FERC jurisdiction entirely. Talen also sued in the Fifth Circuit.

“[The arrangement] doesn't require Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval.”

FERC orders PJM to craft large load colocation rules ↗

Under new chair Laura Swett, FERC unanimously directed PJM to create three new transmission-service categories tailored to co-location — a tonal shift from the November 2024 majority toward enabling these deals.

PJM capacity prices hit record high as grid operator falls short of reliability target ↗

PJM's 2027/28 auction cleared at $333.44/MW-day (third consecutive record) and fell 6,623 MW short of the 20% reserve margin — first time in PJM history. Without Shapiro's price cap: ~$530/MW-day.

“This auction leaves no doubt that data centers' demand for electricity continues to far outstrip new supply.”

Data centers were 40% of PJM capacity costs in last auction: market monitor ↗

Monitoring Analytics finds data centers drove $6.5B of $16.4B in the December 2025 auction; $6.2B is tied to facilities not yet built. Across three auctions: $21.3B / 45% of $47.2B in cleared capacity costs.

“Large data center load additions have already had a significant and irreversible impact that will be paid through May of 2028.”

PJM capacity prices hit record highs, sending build signal to generators ↗

The originating shock: 2025/26 BRA cleared at $269.92/MW-day vs. $28.92 the prior year (9× jump). BGE zone $466.35; Dominion $444.26. Total $14.7B vs. $2.2B.

New Jersey residential customers face 20% bill hikes, driven by PJM capacity prices: BPU ↗

NJ residential bills rose 17.2–20.2% beginning June 2025. NJ Rate Counsel blamed 'PJM's failure to fix its market rules or timely interconnect new generation supply.'

PJM cost concerns bleed into transmission planning ↗

PA Office of Consumer Advocate warns PJM residential ratepayers would pay ~$9B if the full $11.6B regional transmission plan is approved. Data centers accounted for $13.09/MWh in 2025 — a 260% rise from $3.61/MWh in 2024.

“Project 237 has the potential to become the 'poster child' for overbuilding while failing to explore less expensive alternatives.”

'Clear warning signs' as PJM wholesale power costs jump 54% in one year ↗

Total PJM wholesale power costs jumped from $43.5B in 2024 to $67B in 2025 (+54%). Capacity costs alone rose 262%.

New Pennsylvania Law Aims to Protect Ratepayers from Speculative Data Center Demand ↗

PPL Electric projects a 200%+ increase in demand over nine years; 9 GW of advanced-stage data-center requests on the books vs. current 7.5 GW peak. Data centers responsible for 63% of the 2025/26 PJM price spike (~$9.3B).

Gov. Shapiro's Legal Action Again Averts Historic Price Spike Across 13 States ↗

Settlement-cap saved consumers ~$126 per household in 2027/28 (5–7% bill reduction). Combined savings across both capped auctions: $18.2B.

Data center boom sparks sticker shock for PJM ratepayers ↗

Frames the affordability crisis: $4.3B in transmission costs across seven PJM states in 2024; $70/month projected increase per family by 2028; cumulative PJM consumer exposure up to $163B through 2033.

Announcing The Stargate Project ↗

Primary announcement. $500B total / $100B initial; SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle, MGX as equity funders; Masayoshi Son as chair. Framed as 're-industrialization' and national-security capability.

OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank expand Stargate with five new AI data center sites ↗

Lordstown OH, Shackelford County TX, Milam County TX, Doña Ana County NM, Saline Township MI. ~7 GW planned; $400B+ over three years. Pennsylvania — named in February 2025 — is not on the list.

OpenAI Evaluates Sites in Three States for Stargate Project ↗

First confirmation from OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar that PA, Oregon, and Wisconsin are on the shortlist, with site visits Feb 10–14, 2025. OpenAI promised to share 'additional project details for Pennsylvania' the day after — a 13-month-old promise that has not been publicly fulfilled.

BlackRock, GIP, Microsoft and MGX launch AI partnership ↗

The financing scaffolding pre-dating Stargate by four months. Targets $30B initial private equity, $100B total with debt. NVIDIA listed as technical partner.

Aligned Data Centers sold to BlackRock and MGX in record-breaking $40bn deal ↗

AIP (BlackRock + GIP + Microsoft + NVIDIA + MGX) plus xAI buy Aligned Data Centers — largest private digital-infrastructure deal on record. Pipeline includes Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia — PJM markets adjacent to PA. Means MGX sovereign equity enters PA infrastructure without showing up as a 'foreign deal.'

The new playbook for AI leadership: The case of the United Arab Emirates ↗

Scores UAE 17.5/25 as an 'advanced AI power.' Flags single-point geopolitical vulnerabilities and explicitly cites the February 2026 regional conflict as introducing data-center targeting risk from Iran.

Concerns About New AI Joint Venture From OpenAI, Others ↗

Same-day framing of Stargate as a concentration-of-power, climate-cost, ratepayer-cost-shift problem.

SoftBank Weighs Debt-Heavy Financing in $500 Billion AI Push ↗

~$52B is hard equity ($19B SoftBank, $19B OpenAI, $7B Oracle, $7B MGX). ~$448B (90%) is to be raised through debt, vendor financing, and 'AI lease' instruments.

Michigan towns rush to block AI data centers after $16B Stargate project overrode local opposition ↗

Saline Township (Washtenaw Co.) voted 4-1 against rezoning; was overridden via developer litigation; forced to settle for ~$14M in community benefits. By February 2026, 19 Michigan municipalities had moratoriums. The clearest playbook PA municipalities should study.

Blackstone to invest more than $25B in Pennsylvania digital and energy infrastructure ↗

$25B direct plus $60B catalyzed. JV with PPL Corp (51/49) to build gas-fired power plants serving data centers in PA and the broader PJM grid. Plants expected online 2030-2031. PPL projects 13 GW of advanced-stage data-center load in its territory. Jon Gray (Blackstone President), Sean Klimczak (Global Head of Infrastructure), Tag Greason (QTS Co-CEO) named.

Inside Josh Shapiro's Attempt to Navigate the Data Center Backlash ↗

Emails obtained by organizer Colby Wesner show Amazon was granted exclusive, NDA-bound early access to Fast Track / SPEED in April 2025 — months before the program was publicly available. Real estate developer Brian O'Neill is shown lobbying for a $4B bond on anyone challenging a $2B project's zoning approval.

“My door is always open should you have issues or ideas you wish to discuss.”

Shapiro wants to incentivize data centers to be better neighbors. Will that work? ↗

Maps Fast Track participation as the carrot for compliance with GRID standards (Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development). The central enforcement gap: GRID is voluntary incentive, not regulation.

“If a data center does not bring its own additional zero-carbon electricity to power its operations, inherently, the results are going to be increased pollution, increased strain on the grid.”

Fast Track no more: Pa. kicks Archbald data center campus off permit program ↗

After sustained citizen pressure, OTO terminated Project Gravity's Fast Track participation for 'lack of responsiveness and unwillingness to provide a transparent overview.' Demonstrates that public-records pressure works AND that initial vetting was inadequate.

Shapiro Announces Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards ↗

Best primary-source legal explainer. GRID is administrative guidance, not statute — no codified enforcement teeth. Pillars: energy/water, transparency, local hiring, accountability.

Pa.'s SPEED program lets developers skip line for environmental review of some construction permits ↗

Under SPEED, applicants pay private engineers to perform initial permit reviews. PennFuture's structural objections: DEP staff pressured to 'rubber-stamp'; private firms exempt from PA Right-to-Know.

The AI boom has plunged a small Pennsylvania town into chaos ↗

Six campuses on 14% of Archbald borough's land. Property lines of 'development-interested' landowners literally determined overlay district boundaries. Buffer zones shrunk from 1,000 to 300 yards. Valley View Estates mobile home park eviction April 15, 2026.

“I believe in one God, and it's not a computer.”

Legislature Introduces Six Bills to Implement Governor Shapiro's Lightning Plan ↗

Maps the six-bill Lightning Plan (HB/SB 500–505). The RESET Board (HB/SB 502) would create a state-level certificate of reliable energy supply for projects ≥25 MW — the actual statutory preemption vehicle behind the Fast Track façade.

Pennsylvania was known for an arduous permitting process. New policies aim to accelerate building projects. ↗

Documents the November 2025 budget law ($50.1B) that codified automatic permit approval: 60 days for stormwater/groundwater, 30 days for air-quality — if DEP fails to act, the permit is deemed approved.

Lawmakers strip local authority over data centers ↗

Tucker County case: Fundamental Data LLC filed a 77-page air permit application the same day Gov. Morrisey introduced HB 2014. The bill was signed April 30, 2025. Tax split: 50% state income-tax-cut fund / 30% host county / 10% per capita to other 54 counties.

“It really demonstrates, unfortunately, how much Charleston values local opinion.”

Governor, Legislature Yank Local Control of Data Centers from WV Residents ↗

Quotes the operative preemption clause and labels HB 2014 'first of its kind in the nation.' The bill 'prohibits Counties and municipalities, whether by ordinance, resolution, administrative act, or otherwise, from enacting, adopting, implementing, or enforcing ordinances, regulations, or rules which limit, in any way' data center operations.

Uniformity vs. Authority: Data Center Preemption of Pennsylvania Municipalities ↗

Most useful PA preemption brief. SB 939 (Rothman): 30/120-day shot clock with default approval. SB 991 (Bartolotta/Stefano/Vogel): DEP preselects 15+ sites. HB 502 RESET Board: §803 overrides local zoning, §804(d) limits judicial review to 'fraud or constitutional violations,' and contains a retroactive look-back invalidating residential rezoning passed since Jan 1, 2024.

What's next for data centers in Pa.? State lawmakers are split on how to regulate them. ↗

House Democrats passed a four-bill regulatory package (HB 1834, 2150, 2151, 2246). Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) is holding them, preferring a 'holistic' framework. Data Center Coalition (AWS, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, CoreWeave, OpenAI) opposes all four.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are talking the talk on data center regulations. But will they walk? ↗

PSATS evolved from opposing SB 939 to 'neutral' only after land-use provisions were stripped. Former DEP Secretary David Hess compares the GOP Senate's data-center posture to the early shale-gas era.

“I don't see Pennsylvania putting out some sort of progressive policy.”

Tucker data center case tests state transparency ↗

HB 2014's confidentiality clause is being used in litigation — a protective order limits access to Fundamental Data's redacted permit to one attorney and one expert witness. The operational reality of preemption: residents cannot see what is being permitted.

HB 2014 would divert millions annually in local property tax revenue ↗

Tucker County example: commission gains $1.07M but county schools lose $6.98M annually under HB 2014's revenue diversion. The school-funding-diversion argument PA opponents can adapt.

Upper Burrell residents remain unclear about data center's project scope ↗

TECfusions has already received a building permit; new ordinances do not apply retroactively. Founder Simon Tusha quoted. The corridor's dramatic foreshadowing of what HB 502 / SB 991 would lock in statewide.

“They just kind of write you off. It's been three months, and they still have nothing to show.”

Gilpin supervisors pass proactive data center regulations ↗

Gilpin Township, Armstrong County — directly across the Kiskiminetas from Armstrong County — passed proactive data-center regulations: 200-ft setbacks from homes/parks/businesses; 100-ft landscaped buffer; vibration must not cross property lines; required water-supply impact demonstrations; required noise studies; grid-capacity verification. The single most actionable corridor template Armstrong County could adapt.

“Personally, I definitely feel more comfortable with the fact we have reasonable guidelines if a data center were to come into place.”

TECfusions unveils massive 1,400-acre data center project in Pennsylvania ↗

TECfusions' official launch announcement. Endorsed by State Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41, Senate Majority Leader — whose district covers the campaign footprint and who is now blocking the House data-center regulatory package) and State Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Murrysville, 55th District — Westmoreland), alongside Jason Rigone (Westmoreland Industrial Development) and Jim Smith (Economic Growth Connection). $2M PA RACP grant.

Pittman hails new wave of energy advancement in Pennsylvania ↗

Sen. Joe Pittman's booster statement on the Homer City announcement — called it 'the largest capital investment ever to be brought to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.' Homer City sits in his District 41. He is personally invested in this project succeeding, which colors his subsequent posture on data-center regulation.

“Truly historic and incredibly exciting… a tremendous economic engine for generations to come.”

Senator Pittman's constituents ↗

Documented donations from CNX Resources PAC ($5,000) and Pennsylvania Coal PAC ($3,000) to Pittman's 2019 special-election campaign. Aggregator data (Transparency USA) shows Friends of Joe Pittman PAC raised ~$3.58M through 2024 despite running unopposed.

State Senate passes bill to repeal RGGI electricity tax ↗

SB 1068 (RGGI repeal) passed Senate 33-17 with Pittman as lead architect. PA officially withdrew from RGGI in the November 2025 $50.1B budget. Pittman publicly conditioned all energy negotiations on resolving RGGI first.

“Energy is a massive driver of inflation, and I cannot think of a more aggressive way to increase costs for every Pennsylvanian than to make them pay more to simply turn their lights on.”

Accelerated Data Center Permitting co-sponsorship memo ↗

Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46, Washington) circulated the co-sponsorship memo for what became SB 991, with Sen. Patrick Stefano (R-32, Fayette/Somerset/Bedford/Scottdale-Westmoreland) and Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47, Beaver) as named co-sponsors. Bill introduced Sep 5, 2025; referred to Senate ERE Committee; no hearing held as of May 2026.

As grid strain mounts, lawmakers highlight positive steps toward power reliability ↗

Stefano (Consumer Protection chair) and Sen. Gene Yaw (ERE chair) convened a joint Senate hearing on grid strain focused on data-center demand growth — the policy launchpad for SB 991 four months later.

Pennsylvania Poll: 68% oppose an AI data center in their community ↗

n=836 PA registered voters; Feb 19–23, 2026; ±4.7. Bipartisan: R 53/28, D 81/12, I 67/22. Men oppose 61–29; women oppose 75–11.

Pennsylvania Survey on Data Centers & Artificial Intelligence ↗

n=2,000 PA adults; field Nov 19–23, 2025. Statewide: 38 support / 35 oppose. In/near own community: 34 support / 42 oppose. 71% concerned re electricity use; 70% concerned re water use.

Statewide map shows planned data centers across PA ↗

Profile of Emilia Doda, whose tracker at trackdatacenters.com aggregates municipal filings the state itself doesn't publish.

Pennsylvania data center proposal tracker ↗

53 proposed + 52 active per Doda's count; sortable by size, status, electrical capacity; map view with parcel boundaries.

Pennsylvania's data center boom, by the numbers ↗

53 proposed; 52 already active; $2B projected state revenue loss by 2031 from the data-center sales-tax exemption.

An Outpouring of Frustration Over Pennsylvania's Rapid Data Center Growth ↗

PA Data Center Resistance Facebook group grew from dozens to 12,000+ members between January and May 2026.

“Having done this for 19 years, and worked on fracking, I have never seen the kind of response where everybody is opposed.”

Upper Burrell residents uneasy over coming data center ↗

TECfusions on the 1,395-acre former Alcoa/Arconic R&D site; up to 3 GW (~3× Three Mile Island); closed-loop water cooling; on-site natural gas. TensorWave is the first tenant.

96 Salem Twp landowners complete historic 1,700-acre sale for major data center campus ↗

Salem Township in LUZERNE County (not Westmoreland) — adjacent to Talen's Susquehanna nuclear plant. 96 landowners closed a coordinated sale to Blackstone-owned QTS for $500M+ (total project ~$580M); 12 data centers planned (revised down from 18); $9M community benefit; construction targeted fall 2026. Brokered by JLL with Park Place Realty; organized by Jack Sordoni's 4-3 Consulting. The township enacted a data-center overlay totaling ~4,098 acres in September and December 2025 amendments.

Data centers: residents fear negative impacts on water resources ↗

Wildcat Ridge proposes 3.3M gallons/day (≈ 53,000 residents); Project Gold 360k gallons/day (≈ 5,000 residents). Private wells serve 3.5M rural Pennsylvanians.