To Feed Data Centers, Pennsylvania Faces a New Fracking Surge

[Brenda]

Twenty years after fracking began to boost natural gas production in western Pennsylvania, residents are bracing for another surge in output as gas-fired power plants prepare to meet a big jump in electricity demand. At least five new energy-hungry data centers are planned in the region, most of which will power themselves by producing electricity by burning natural gas on site. The burst in activity is prompting predictions, by power companies as well as their critics, of drilling hundreds or even thousands of new gas wells to fuel the centers’ power demands.

Such concerns are not new in western Pennsylvania. For the last two decades, environmental advocates and researchers have accused the natural gas industry of polluting the air, polluting water through leaks and spills of chemicals used in fracking, and causing illnesses including cancer, asthma, and birth defects. The harms of fracking have been documented in a “compendium” of some 2,300 peer-reviewed studies from around the world published by the nonprofits Physicians for Social Responsibility and Concerned Health Professionals of New York. The Marcellus Shale Coalition, an industry trade group, maintains that fracking for natural gas in Pennsylvania is safe, and that by replacing coal-fired generation it was responsible for a nearly 11 percent decline in the state’s carbon dioxide emissions between 2022 and 2023.

“Unconventional oil and gas development has led to the loss of water resources not just at the front end, with removal, but also contaminating aquifers to the point where communities have lost their potable water,” said Stolz. As fracking expands to meet data center power needs, he added, “conditions will get worse for the people of western Pennsylvania.”

This shit has been happening in Mexico and other countries in poor areas for years. Now it's here. Josh Shapiro is not on the side of the people of PA.

https://e360.yale.edu/features/pennsylvania-data-centers-natural-gas

[SheltieLover]

1. This just should not be allowed, imo!

Last edited Tue Dec 16, 2025, 05:28 PM - Edit history (1)

[Brenda]

2. Western PA, Memphis, that's where they start

Poor communities who already have water and/or electricity infrastructure issues. The largest tech corporations in the world with the most money PURPOSELY build these data centers in these areas so when the locals complain about high water bills, high electric bills, power outages, no water...well wala!

It's always been that way here their lawyers and CEO's high as kites will say.

[SheltieLover]

3. Yup. I live about 45 mi from the one in Memphis.

Horrible that these damn data centers are being allowed!

The one in Memphis is in a very poor, Black neighborhood & residents complain they cannot breathe! Greedy pricks!

Ty for posting!

[Brenda]

5. You're welcome.

The ramp-up with these data centers is the fastest I've ever seen of any industry and it's scary as fucking hell.

[SheltieLover]

7. Sure is scary!

And at least in memphis, officials who approved it signed NDAs! How in the hell can elected officials do that?

It's being challenged in court, but we all know who will win. Thisis the red shithole known as TN after all.

[Brenda]

9. I hear ya.

The same thing is happening in my state. Local lawmakers signing NDA's, ignoring local people's requests for answers. It's a nationwide thing on overdrive.

The good news is that some communities are fighting back - one near Indianapolis recently and Scotland I believe is giving them a big FU.

Things are moving fast on purpose. Flooding the Zone is not just a political motto for Chump and Company. It's the Motto of TechBros world domination game.

They can't OD fast enough for me.

[SheltieLover]

10. We are in full agreement!

Makes me physically sick to see Black lawmakers sell out their own people.

[fujiyamasan]

4. If Shapiro came out against fracking

He would likely lose reelection, if he were interested in running again.

That’s why Harris backtracked on her original opposition to it.

I’m not defending fracking itself, but the people of Pennsylvania seem to want it to.

[Brenda]

6. So the answer is for Dems to capitulate.

This sell-out mentality instead of informing the public about the real issues is why the Democrats have such extremely low ratings even during the time of the absolute worst president in the history of our country.

Maybe educate the people of Pennsylvania using the words of their own people who have experienced the hell of fracking, not the words of the Faux News Chump ass kissers - might be a winning path.

[SheltieLover]

8. Fracking is a nightmare!