As data centers loom, communities need to organize to protect health and environment
Pennsylvania’s recent action on data centers doesn’t change the fact that only diligence and public engagement on the local level can secure residents’ control over the future of communities.
(Original photo by Stephanie Strasburg/Pittsburgh's Public Source)
Twenty years ago, my Pittsburgh neighborhood, Brighton Heights, saw some of the worst air pollution in the country. Now, after the closures of coke works and coal power plants, it’s a great place to raise a family and build community. We know that strong oversight of polluting facilities and meaningful protections for frontline communities lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life. But a new industrial boom threatens to blunt this progress, despite recent protective actions at the state level.
Gas-powered hyperscale data centers have been proposed across Pennsylvania, representing increased risk to public health due to the hazards posed by air pollution, noise pollution and light pollution, as well as environmental impacts from high water usage and increased fracking. Concerned by the sudden boom in proposals, community members across the state are quickly mobilizing to inform local decision making.
Gov. Josh Shapiro recently responded to these concerns with an executive order directing the state government to take steps aligned with his GRID principles for data center development. While the governor deserves credit for his actions, this executive order is not a silver bullet. There is still plenty of work that potential host communities will need to do to protect themselves.
My organization, the Environmental Health Project (EHP), advocates for public health protections around gas-powered facilities, which includes most of these proposed data centers. While the recent executive order references a requirement for data centers to be powered by at least one-third clean energy in the coming decade, fossil gas will continue to power this industry. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels contains nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds that can lead to health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, adverse birth outcomes, cancer and premature mortality.
Although the governor has spoken out about the importance of “approval from the local community,” his recent executive order only requires local permit approvals, not positive public sentiment. Therefore, local efforts to enact strong data center ordinances are critical to protect communities before new data centers are proposed. I recently worked with a Springdale resident and other advocacy organizations at an event designed to train residents about the growing risks posed by data centers and how they could push back. Our aim was to equip attendees with guidance for getting involved in local decision-making. This training consolidated contacts and resources to help residents take action.
The negative environmental, public health and economic risks posed by hyperscale, gas-fired data centers are significant, but increasingly so are the concerns and actions of many of the residents who will be impacted. Now is the time to consult the resources, show up to local council meetings, and urge leaders to develop health protective ordinances that restrict data centers.
Nathan Deron is the program manager of the nonpartisan nonprofitEnvironmental Health Project, headquartered in Pittsburgh. He can be reached atnderon@environmentalhealthproject.org. Since 2012, EHP has worked to defend public health in the face of oil and gas development.
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As data centers loom, communities need to organize to protect health and environment
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Twenty years ago, my Pittsburgh neighborhood, Brighton Heights, saw some of the worst air pollution in the country. Now, after the closures of coke works and coal power plants, it’s a great place to raise a family and build community. We know that strong oversight of polluting facilities and meaningful protections for frontline communities lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life. But a new industrial boom threatens to blunt this progress, despite recent protective actions at the state level.
Gas-powered hyperscale data centers have been proposed across Pennsylvania, representing increased risk to public health due to the hazards posed by air pollution, noise pollution and light pollution, as well as environmental impacts from high water usage and increased fracking. Concerned by the sudden boom in proposals, community members across the state are quickly mobilizing to inform local decision making.
Gov. Josh Shapiro recently responded to these concerns with an executive order directing the state government to take steps aligned with his GRID principles for data center development. While the governor deserves credit for his actions, this executive order is not a silver bullet. There is still plenty of work that potential host communities will need to do to protect themselves.
My organization, the Environmental Health Project (EHP), advocates for public health protections around gas-powered facilities, which includes most of these proposed data centers. While the recent executive order references a requirement for data centers to be powered by at least one-third clean energy in the coming decade, fossil gas will continue to power this industry. Air pollution from burning fossil fuels contains nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds that can lead to health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, adverse birth outcomes, cancer and premature mortality.
Aside from the substantial risks to public health from the air, water, noise and light pollution posed by gas-fired data centers, there are also serious equity concerns. Many residents are worried that data centers will be built regardless of whether their community wants them. Pittsburgh-area community Springdale Borough, for example, is now set to host a massive data center that may use as much energy as 140,000 homes. Residents and council members expressed concern about pollution from 124 on-site diesel generators. To help raise awareness about the potential pollution risks, EHP analyzed weather data and developed a map showing where pollution from the facility would travel. But their borough council approved the permit, citing fear of legal action if they denied it. Residents felt like their concerns were ignored.
Although the governor has spoken out about the importance of “approval from the local community,” his recent executive order only requires local permit approvals, not positive public sentiment. Therefore, local efforts to enact strong data center ordinances are critical to protect communities before new data centers are proposed. I recently worked with a Springdale resident and other advocacy organizations at an event designed to train residents about the growing risks posed by data centers and how they could push back. Our aim was to equip attendees with guidance for getting involved in local decision-making. This training consolidated contacts and resources to help residents take action.
The negative environmental, public health and economic risks posed by hyperscale, gas-fired data centers are significant, but increasingly so are the concerns and actions of many of the residents who will be impacted. Now is the time to consult the resources, show up to local council meetings, and urge leaders to develop health protective ordinances that restrict data centers.
Nathan Deron is the program manager of the nonpartisan nonprofit Environmental Health Project, headquartered in Pittsburgh. He can be reached at nderon@environmentalhealthproject.org. Since 2012, EHP has worked to defend public health in the face of oil and gas development.
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