What is a data center?
A data center is a building or complex that provides cloud-based storage for large end user corporations like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, Comcast and Apple. These buildings, which resemble warehouses, are filled with large amounts of computing equipment (servers, routers, fiber optics), backup generators and cooling equipment, which offset the excessive heat produced by the high concentration of computing equipment. Specialized Data Centers house the computer equipment, technology and storage needed to develop and run the rapidly growing use of AI (artificial intelligence).
Why are we hearing so much about data centers now?
Cloud-based storage is used by almost everyone. Hospitals, doctors, banks, businesses and individuals all rely on this storage to deposit and retrieve vast amounts of information like medical records, account history, pictures, etc. The swift expansion of AI in our everyday lives has compounded the need for data centers to keep up with growing demand.
Does Pennsylvania have any data centers?
Pennsylvania already has approximately 125 data centers with the biggest concentrations in the Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg areas. Data centers exist in surrounding states as well; Virginia (603), Ohio (204), New Jersey (67), Maryland (53) and Delaware (18). To locate and find more information about existing data centers click here. You can track proposed data center projects by clicking here.
What are the concerns about data centers?
Pennsylvania is the second highest energy producer in the country, and one of the most water-rich, so our state is very attractive for data center development.
Primary concerns around data centers focus on the enormous amount of electricity needed to operate the equipment in a data center and the large quantity of water needed to prevent equipment overheating and fire hazards.
One large data center would require one-and-a-half times more megawattage of electricity than the entire city of Pittsburgh.
A single large data center can consume up to five million gallons of water per day. Strains on local water supply, management of wastewater and contamination from chemicals and again, who pays the costs for increased water demand, urgently need to be addressed.
Data center energy needs come at time when ratepayers in our state are struggling to pay utility bills, so our concern is warranted.
Other by products of data centers are air, noise and light pollution, especially for those residing in proximity to a facility. So, again, our quality of life and impact to the health of our environment raise concern.
What can we do?
It’s important to note that under Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Planning Code local governments are not allowed to ban or exclude a specific land use. For example, a township can’t just declare “no data centers.” An action of this nature could be challenged by developers leaving municipalities and residents vulnerable to expensive legal action.
In the House, we’ve been working on legislation for many months to address data center development. Unlike natural gas pipeline construction in our state a decade ago, we now have an opportunity to proactively put guard rails and protections in place prior to data center development. I recently supported House Bill 2151, would create an optional model data center ordinance for townships and boroughs to use all, part or none of. This model would enable municipalities to address land, water, infrastructure and energy issues and the ability to deny data center project proposals not meeting their requirements.
Additionally,I voted for each of these bills below, which passed the House with bipartisan support and await further action in the Senate.
House Bill 1834 Prohibits data centers from shifting electricity costs for operations onto households and small businesses and requires them to fully cover expenses related to power grid upgrades, transmission and reliability needs. This legislation would also require data centers to use an increasing amount of in-state renewable energy sources.
House Bill 2150 Increases data center transparency by requiring them to submit an annual report to the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on their energy and water usage from the previous year and estimated usage for the following year. Reports on data center energy and water usage would be available to the public and significant fines imposed on any center that fails to comply with reports.
House Bill 2246 Helps local governments, state agencies and river basin commissions assess impacts of a potential data center project on water usage. This legislation would require data centers to report their water plans before construction, allowing the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and other stakeholders an opportunity to explore any potential adverse effect on local water supplies or adjacent wetlands.
As a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VA & EP) Committee, I understand the urgency in preparing county and local fire/emergency response teams for a possible hazardous event. That is why I’ve introduced House Bill 2535. My legislation would address public safety issues by requiring data centers to submit emergency operations plans, floor plans and a summary of physical materials as a condition of occupancy at their site. Annual reports of this information to local fire officials would be required with significant financial penalties for noncompliance. This bill was referred to the House VA & EP Committee and awaits further action.
Can a data center be built in my community?
Every proposed project, development or land use request in your township or borough, must receive approval from that municipality’s Planning Commission, Zoning Board and final approval from Board of Supervisors or Council. These bodies carefully review proposals for compliance with ordinances in a transparent manner and consider input from you during public comment periods at each meeting. Any request for a data center project would be subject to this same approval process, so it’s critical if you care about land use that you engage with your municipality by attending meetings, reviewing minutes, signing up to receive agendas, minutes, e-newsletters and follow on social media.
I hope you find this data center primer helpful. The issue will be with us for some time, so stay tuned and again, please be engaged in the process to shape the future of our state and community.