Data centers have no place in our community

To the Editor:

Recently, the proposals for data centers to be built across Pennsylvania have been in the news with both support and opposition. I wanted to educate myself on data centers, both advantages and disadvantages. Here is what I found. Data centers offer advantages only to the technological companies that build them. However, they have many disadvantages to the communities they infiltrate. Data centers only cost the residents in health and resources.

What do data centers do? They create noise pollution, air pollution, light pollution, water waste, and increases to energy costs for residents. Data centers create a constant hum that may exceed 90 decibels. (Noise levels above 85 decibels are harmful to hearing.) The pollutants that are created by data centers include methane gas, volatile compounds, and fine particulate matter that increase respiratory illnesses such as asthma, cardiovascular conditions, and increase cancer risks.

Data centers generate significant light pollution that affects our natural sleep rhythms, disturbs migration patterns of birds, and ruffles habitat development for birds, butterflies, turtles, and other animals. Data centers also require massive amounts of water to keep their computer servers cool. Some data centers might use up to 5 million gallons daily from local resources (Juniata River). This would severely impact recreation on the Juniata River.

In communities where data centers have been built, residents have seen an increase in electric rates. In 2025, analysts estimated a 20% rate increase for PA households. In addition, the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows on average residents pay 37% more for electricity now than in 2020. Demand for energy will continue to increase – this means an increase in rates.

In my opinion, data centers do not bring any economic growth to the communities they invade. They are parasites leeching resources needed for residents. They do not produce many full-time jobs.

I do not believe data centers have a place here. We should encourage the leaders of our communities to adopt ordinances that restrict data centers from coming into our community. We deserve the opportunity to participate in public discussions and express our concerns. Please reach out to your local leaders and ask questions!

Sincerely,

Venus Shade