1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

I am writing as a Pennsylvania resident to strongly oppose the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers and AI infrastructure in our state without strict, enforceable regulation. Across the country, communities are discovering — often too late — that massive data centers bring significant environmental, economic, and infrastructure burdens. These facilities consume extraordinary amounts of electricity and water, strain local grids, require new transmission buildouts, and can permanently alter rural or residential landscapes. In many cases, residents report being left out of the decision-making process entirely. Pennsylvania should not become a lightly regulated hub for energy-intensive AI development at the expense of our communities. If the Commonwealth is going to consider permitting additional data centers or AI infrastructure, I urge you to require: • Comprehensive environmental impact assessments prior to approval • Binding limits on water usage and groundwater extraction • Clear accounting of grid load impacts and ratepayer cost protections • Public disclosure of energy sourcing and carbon footprint • Local community consent mechanisms and public hearings • Strict zoning oversight to prevent industrial encroachment into residential or agricultural areas • Tax transparency to ensure corporations are not receiving disproportionate subsidies while shifting infrastructure costs to residents Data centers are not neutral infrastructure. They are high-consumption industrial facilities. Without strong guardrails, the long-term costs — higher utility rates, water depletion, noise pollution, land disruption, and grid instability — will fall on Pennsylvanians while profits flow elsewhere. Technological innovation should not override environmental protection, local governance, or fiscal responsibility. If Pennsylvania chooses to compete in the AI sector, it must do so with the strongest regulatory standards in the country — not by racing to the bottom. I urge you to commit publicly that no expansion of data center or AI infrastructure will proceed without rigorous environmental review, transparent cost analysis, and meaningful community input. Pennsylvania residents deserve proactive protection — not after-the-fact damage control.