This session provides a clear overview of data centers, exploring why Pennsylvania’s abundant energy, accessible water, and skilled workforce make it an ideal location.
Participants will also gain insight into the concerns rural residents may have about data center development, encouraging thoughtful dialogue on both the opportunities and challenges.
This program is well suited for community members, policymakers, and industry stakeholders alike.
Who is this for?
— Landowners
— Farmers
— Energy regulators
— Energy policymakers
— Local governments
— Community members
— Industry stakeholders
What will you learn?
— A basic overview of data centers
— Common concerns rural residents may have about data center development
— A balanced discussion on opportunities and challenges
Click Here to register and for more information.
Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other educational opportunities.
Upcoming Events
— October 22– House Energy Committee holds hearing on regulation of A.I. data centers by the Public Utility Commission. Room G-50 Irvis Building. 11:00 a.m. Click Here to watch live.
— November 19– Penn State Extension Webinar: A.I. Data Centers And Water Resources, Noon to 1:00 p.m.
— ON DEMAND: SW PA Data Centers Working Group: Webinar On Demand- Big Promise or Big Problems? Ethical Considerations for the AI Boom [Presentation Slides, Webinar Q/A ]
Related Articles – Extension:
— Penn State Extension Hosts Dec. 11 Webinar: A.I. Data Centers In Pennsylvania – Why Here? Why Now? [PaEN]
— Penn State Extension Hosts Dec. 18 Webinar On Fireflies In Pennsylvania [PaEN]
— Penn State Extension Hosts 7-Part Online Tree Tenders Training Starting Jan. 14 To Feb. 25 [PaEN]
— Penn State Extension, DCNR, PASA Host Mid-Atlantic Agroforestry Conference June 4-5, 2026 In Huntingdon County [PaEN]
— Penn State Extension: Twofold Farm Grows A Food Forest Multifunction Riparian Buffer With Conservation In Mind In Wyoming County
— Penn State Extension: Healthy Streams Typically Don’t Follow A Straight Line – Sinuosity And Stream Health
Related Articles This Week:
— PA House Members Announced 6-Bill Legislative Package To Promote Responsible Development Of A.I. Data Centers [PaEN]
— PA Council Of Trout Unlimited Issues Policy Statement Calling For Responsible Development Of A.I. Data Centers, Adopting PennFuture’s Model Zoning Ordinance [PaEN]
— PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In September – Is PA Ready For An A.I. Data Center Boom? [PaEN]
— DEP Invites Comments On Homer City Generation Chapter 105 Permit Covering Permanent Loss Of 441 Feet Of Stream To Develop Part Of A.I. Data Center Campus In Indiana County [PaEN]
NewsClips:
— Spotlight PA: How Gov. Shapiro Wants To Reshape PJM Regional Grid Operator As Prices Rise
— PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank Elected Vice President Of Organization Of PJM Grid Operator States
— Inside Climate News: PJM Grid Operator Pursues Rule Change To Meet A.I. Data Center Surge, Critics Fear Natural Gas Suppliers Would Benefit From Fast-Track Process
— Utility Dive: Investor-Owned Electric Utilities Call For Ending ‘Overreliance’ On PJM Capacity Market
— The Center Square: Leaving PJM Grid Operator A Solution For Surging Electricity Prices Or Power Move?
— Pittsburgh Business Times: PA Lawmaker Rep. Matzie Seeks Study Of Costs Of Leaving PJM Electric Grid Operator [PDF of Article]
— The Center Square: A.I. Data Centers And Water – The Next Frontier
— Chesapeake Bay Journal: How Could A.I. Data Centers Impact Air Quality?
— PennLive Letter: Gov. Shapiro’s Natural Gas Claims For A.I. Data Centers Don’t Hold Water – By Karen Feridun, Better Path Coalition
— Scranton Times: Pompey Coal, Settler’s View, Lackawanna Energy Center Natural Gas Power Plant Appeal Jessup A.I. Data Center Zoning Ordinance [PDF of Article]
— LancasterOnline: Here Are The New Rules Proposed For A.I. Data Centers In Lancaster City [PDF of Article]
— Scranton Times: Amazon A.I. Data Center Campus Construction In Salem Twp. On ‘Rapid Pace’ In Luzerne County [PDF of Article]
— Inquirer – Frank Kummer: Plan To Turn Old Pennhurst State Hospital Into A.I. Data Center Outrages Neighbors In Chester County
— Solar Energy Industries Assn.: President’s Efforts To Prevent Clean Energy Deployment Have Blocked 125 Gigawatts Of Power From The Grid Just When Demand Is Surging, Driving Up Electricity Prices
[Posted: October 15, 2025] PA Environment Digest