Pennsylvania Faces Crossroads: Can Data Center Boom Coexist with Climate Goals?
HARRISBURG, PA – pennsylvania is grappling with a critical question: can it together become a major hub for energy-intensive data centers and meet ambitious climate targets? A surge in demand from the tech sector is driving investment in natural gas infrastructure, sparking debate over the state’s energy future.
Currently, $1.6 billion is being invested to enhance natural gas output and connect it to data centers. Frontier Group is transforming a former coal-fired power plant in western Pennsylvania into a new natural gas-fired plant, aiming to support both America’s energy goals and Pennsylvania’s economy.
However, environmental advocates warn that relying on natural gas could undermine the state’s commitment to decarbonization. According to the Natural Resources defense Council’s (NRDC) John Morris, new gas plants “are going to be adding a ton of pollution to the system and taking us in the wrong direction on climate.”
pennsylvania has pledged to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to between 50% and 52% of 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, as outlined in the Department of Environmental Protection’s 2024 Climate action Plan Update.The conflict arises from the immediate energy needs of data centers. Georgia, now the second-largest data center market globally after Northern Virginia, is seeing “thousands and thousands of megawatts of new gas plants” proposed to meet demand. Pennsylvania, though, could chart a different course.
Governor Shapiro‘s “Lightning Plan,” introduced in April, proposes a binding cap on emissions from power plants and an expanded renewables platform. If enacted, Morris believes the plan could allow Pennsylvania to meet growing energy demands “in a manner that protects consumers and prevents emissions increases.” Parts of the legislative package are currently moving through the legislature but face Republican opposition.
Not everyone is optimistic. Maya Feridun argues that Pennsylvania’s lagging renewable energy production means emissions from new natural gas plants will likely negate any gains made in the renewables sector. She contends that the state appears to be avoiding the “work” needed to address the climate crisis.
