Pennsylvania

Data Centers Drive Higher Forecasts for Electric Demand in Pennsylvania, Sparking Climate Worries – Inside Climate News

Published

1 year ago

February 15, 2025

Data Centers Drive Higher Forecasts for Electric Demand in Pennsylvania, Sparking Climate Worries – Inside Climate News

Three electric-transmission zones that are wholly or partly in Pennsylvania are expected to see sharp increases in power demand from current and new data centers in the next few years, according to a new forecast from the grid operator PJM, underscoring concerns that the centers may hinder decarbonization and exceed the grid’s ability to supply all the energy people need.

PPL, supplying a region that includes Harrisburg and Scranton, is expected to see its summer peak load demand jump more than 60 percent by 2030 to about 12,000 megawatts, from the 2025 level of just over 7,300 MW, according to the PJM data released in late January.

The Allegheny Power Systems region, where FirstEnergy utilities serve parts of western and central Pennsylvania as well as portions of Maryland and West Virginia, is expected to see load rise to a peak of nearly 10,000 MW by 2030 from about 8,700 MW now. And ATSI, FirstEnergy’s transmission utility supplying parts of western Pennsylvania and Ohio, is forecast to increase its peak load demand to more than 14,400 MW by 2030 from about 12,800 MW now.

In all three cases, PJM attributed its forecast to increased demand from data centers. Transmission zones in other parts of Pennsylvania are expected to show less growth in power demand.

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Across the 13-state PJM area, the load forecast is driven by the growth of data centers, manufacturing and the electrification of buildings and vehicles. By 2030, the summer peak load forecast is expected to be 9.5 percent higher than was forecast for that point just last year, accelerating to an increase of 16.9 percent by 2035.

“This forecast captures the dramatic increases in future energy demand, as evidenced by the last two years when data center development has grown exponentially,” said Aftab Khan, PJM’s executive vice president for operations, planning and security, in a statement.

In 2024, the electricity industry’s research nonprofit, EPRI, forecast annual growth rates in power demand by data centers of 3.7 to 15 percent between 2023 and 2030, and said data centers could consume up to 9 percent of U.S. electricity generation by 2030—about twice the current share. AI queries use about 10 times the amount of power used by regular internet searches, EPRI said.

Pennsylvania has just over 70 data centers, according to Data Center Map, a company that connects buyers and sellers of those services. That’s about twice the number reported in 2018 by the consultant eConsult on the economic impact of data centers in the state.

The state’s planned data centers include one in Upper Burrell, near Pittsburgh, where data center operator TECfusions announced the purchase of a shuttered office and industrial park covering 1,395 acres to meet growing demand for AI. The company plans to use natural gas to generate power on site, it said in January.

The growth fuels concerns among environmentalists that the extra electricity demanded will come mostly from fossil-fuel sources, chiefly natural gas, setting back efforts to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution damaging the climate and driving ever-more destructive disasters.

“People across the country are trying to square the benefits that technology can bring with the real and growing impacts on the environment and consumers,” said Ellie Kerns, climate and clean energy advocate with the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center, in a statement. The group co-published a recent report on the environmental impacts of data-center growth.

The report, “Big Data Centers, Big Problems,” urged data center owners and regulators to use renewable energy to run the centers, maximize their energy efficiency and reduce their impact on the grid.

For Pennsylvania, the challenge is shown by PPL’s forecast that it will need an extra 5,000 MW for anticipated data-center growth in its territory by 2030. That’s roughly five times the total consumption in all of New Hampshire.

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Those figures come from a January presentation by Kimberly Barrow, vice chair of Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission, to the Citizens Advisory Council of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection.

While surging power demand from data centers threatens to derail a shift away from fossil fuels, it may also be an opportunity if it stimulates renewed interest in nuclear power, a zero-emissions source, by the biggest operators of data centers, said Jackson Morris, director of state power-sector policy, climate and energy at the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council.

He cited Microsoft’s new agreement with Constellation Energy, owner of one of two nuclear reactors at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania. The other reactor suffered a partial meltdown in 1979 in America’s worst nuclear power accident.

Constellation’s Unit 1, which was retired for economic reasons in 2019, now aims to restart in 2028, providing all its power to a new Microsoft data center. If such agreements between leading computing companies and power suppliers become more common, it could meet the big new demand for data-center power without slowing decarbonization or raising consumers’ electric bills, Morris argued.

But the proposed sale of a central-Pennsylvania data center to Amazon from Talen Energy, operator of an adjacent nuclear plant, shouldn’t happen because it would involve the temporary loss of a zero-emissions energy source to the grid, Morris said.

“That’s an example of how not to go about this transition because if you cannibalize existing zero-emissions, whether it’s nukes or renewables, you’re actually digging a deeper carbon hole,” he said.

“It’s got to be clean, it’s got to be affordable and it’s got to be reliable.”
— Jackson Morris, Natural Resources Defense Council

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled against the plan in November 2024, but Talen Energy has asked for a rehearing.

Whatever energy sources are used to supply data centers, the sharply increased demand represents a major challenge to power companies and regulators, Morris said.

“We haven’t seen load-growth projections like we’re seeing now since post-Second World War when the economy was booming,” he said. “What do you do about it? How do you meet it in a way that does not blow through our climate targets, that does not saddle consumers with billions of dollars of upgrade costs to accommodate that load, and how do you do it and maintain reliability? It’s got to be clean, it’s got to be affordable and it’s got to be reliable.”

But predictions that data centers will mean big new demand for electricity may be overblown, argued Sean O’Leary, senior analyst at the Ohio River Valley Institute, a think tank that monitors the economy of western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. O’Leary argues that PJM and other forecasters have often overstated anticipated demand growth, and that’s especially dangerous when power produced from natural gas, a fossil fuel, would be used to fill most of a perceived power shortage.

Those arguments got a boost in January with the release of a new model from DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, which showed that it uses less energy than other AI apps, implying that data centers may not, after all, use as much energy as predicted by PJM and other forecasters.

The release hurt the stocks of U.S.-based AI giant Nvidia as well as energy companies with a Pennsylvania presence, including Constellation and natural gas producer EQT.

If demand does rise, so would prices. But that may provide a strong incentive for some businesses to come up with solutions.

“Rising prices, such as those that would have resulted from the immense increases in demand that were being forecasted, create business opportunities for hardware, software and platforms that offer improved efficiency and, therefore, reduce demand,” O’Leary said.

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA States – FloWrestling

Published

6 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA States – FloWrestling

Is Pennsylvania the most wrestling-centric state in the country? Does the Keystone State have the most talent? Or even the top talent? Is it harder to win a state title there than anywhere else?

These all are terrific questions, and the answers may vary depending on who you ask and where they’re from, much like our nation’s great pizza debate, where the answers will vary by region.

What we do know for sure, is that Pennsylvania is well-represented in the 2025-2026 FloWrestling High School Wrestling Rankings, but with the 2026 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships on the horizon, where do the competitors rank amongst their peers?

If you follow high school wrestling, you’ve probably already heard many of the names, whether it was at past PIAA events, national tournaments, international competition, college recruiting news or signings, etc.

Now, here they are listed by weight class in FloWrestling’s latest Pennsylvania-only rankings.

Among the most recognizable are Bishop McCort senior Bo Bassett (152 pounds), his brother and teammate Melvin Miller (172 pounds) and Adam Waters (189 pounds) from rival school Faith Christian Academy.

As you get ready to see who takes home the titles at the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships, set for March 5-7 at GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, here’s a look at where everyone falls in the pecking order:

What Are The Weight Classes For High School Wrestling In Pennsylvania?

Boys: 107, 114, 121, 127, 133, 139, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215, 285
Girls: 100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 170, 190, 235

Pennsylvania High School Wrestling Rankings Before 2026 PIAA State Championships

As of Feb. 22, 2026

Boys

Girls

When Are The 2026 PIAA Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships?

The 2026 PIAA Boys & Girls Individual State Wrestling Championships will take place March 5-7, live on FloWrestling and the FloSports app.

The first girls wrestling champions in PIAA action were determined in 2024.

The road back to GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, began with regional competition across 12 sites (eight boys, four girls) in February (Feb. 20-21; Feb. 22; Feb. 27-28; Feb. 28)

Among the highlights at the 2025 event was Bassett winning his second individual PIAA state championship and helping Bishop McCort to a Class AA runner-up finish behind Faith Christian.

Read more: 2025 PIAA Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets

How To Watch The 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships

Live coverage of the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships on March 5-7 will be broadcast on FloWrestling and the FloSports app, with news, notes, stats and more available on both platforms.

Archives will be available immediately following the conclusion of each match.

If you’re going to be in the area and want to catch the action in person, click here for spectator and ticket information.

Read more: 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Schedule & Brackets

2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Brackets

Here’s where you’ll be able to find the brackets for the 2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships:

2026 PIAA Individual State Wrestling Championships Schedule

Here’s a look at when everything is going down:

All Times Eastern

Wednesday, March 4

4-7 p.m. – Media registration
4-7 p.m. – School registration (AA/Girls/AAA)
4-7 p.m. – Qualifying wrestlers’ workout (AA/Girls/AAA) (six mats)
6 p.m. – Officials’ meeting

Thursday, March 5 (Session 1)

7:30 a.m. – Media registration
7:30 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA)
7:30 a.m. – Late school registration (AA)
7:45 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA)
8 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA)
9 a.m. – Preliminaries and first round (AA), six mats (52/104 matches)
12:30 p.m. – First-round consolations (AA), six mats
12:30 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (Girls)
12:30 p.m. – Late school registration (Girls)
12:45 p.m. – Skin condition check (Girls)
1 p.m. – Weigh-ins (Girls)
2 p.m. – First round (Girls), six mats (104 matches)
3 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AAA)
3 p.m. – Late school registration (AAA)
3:15 p.m. – Skin condition check (AAA)
3:30 p.m. – Weigh-ins (AAA)
3:30 p.m. – First-round consolations (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
4:30 p.m. – Preliminaries and first round (AAA), six mats (52/104 matches)
8 p.m. – First-round consolations (AAA), six mats (52 matches)

Friday, March 6 (Session 2/Session 3)

6:30 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA)
6:45 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA)
7 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA)
8 a.m. – Quarterfinals (AA), three mats (52 matches)
8 a.m. – Second-round consolations (AA), three mats (52 matches)
10:15 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (Girls)
10:30 a.m. – Third-round consolations (AA), three mats (52 matches)
10:30 a.m. – Skin condition check (Girls)
10:45 a.m. – Weigh-ins (Girls)
11:45 a.m. – Quarterfinals (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
12:45 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AAA)
1 p.m. – Skin condition check (AAA)
1:15 p.m. – Weigh-ins (AAA)
1:15 p.m. – Second-round consolations (Girls), six mats (52 matches)
2:15 p.m. – Quarterfinals (AAA), three mats (52 matches)
2:15 p.m. – Second-round consolations (AAA), three mats (52 matches)
4:45 p.m. – Third-round consolations (AAA), six mats (52 matches)
6:15 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
7 p.m. – Semifinals (AA/Girls/AAA), 2/2/2 mats (26/26/26 matches)
9 p.m. – Fourth-round consolations (AA/AAA), 2/2 mats (26/26 matches)
9 p.m. – Third-round consolations (Girls), two mats (26 matches)

Saturday, March 7 (Session 4/Session 5)

8 a.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
8:15 a.m. – Skin condition check (AA/Girls/AAA)
8:30 a.m. – Weigh-ins (AA/Girls/AAA)
8:45 a.m. – Skin condition check, finalists (AA/Girls/AAA)
9 a.m. – Weigh-in, finalists (AA/Girls/AAA)
9:30 a.m. – Fifth-round consolations (AA/AAA), 2/2 mats (26/26 matches)
9:30 a.m. – Fourth-round consolations (Girls), 2 mats (26 matches)
11:30 a.m. – Third-, fifth- and seventh-place matches (AA/Girls/AAA), 2/2/2 mats (39/39/39 matches)
11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. – Admit coaches and contestants (AA/Girls/AAA)
3:40 p.m. – Parade of Champions (AA/Girls/AAA)
4 p.m. – Championship Finals (AA/Girls/AAA), 1/1/1 mats (13/13/13 matches)

When Was The 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships?

The 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships took place Feb. 6-7 at the 1st Summit Arena in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and included 20 teams that survived the preliminary and first round of the tournament, which was held Feb. 3 at host schools across the state.

The advancing teams made their way to Johnstown for two more days of intense competition, with the 1st Summit Arena hosting the quarterfinals through the championship matches.

In Pennsylvania this year, there were 475 schools participating in boys wrestling.

They were divided into two classifications – 228 schools in AA and 247 schools in AAA – which are further split into 12 districts. Class AA is for schools with 1-308 male enrollees, and Class AAA wrestling includes schools with 309-9999 male students.

Read more: 2026 PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships Schedule & Brackets

Did You Know: PIAA Wrestling Has A Long History

The first state wrestling championships in Keystone State happened in 1938, while the girls were added to the action in 2024. The PIAA Team Wrestling State Championships debuted in 1999.

There are 14 four-time individual state champions in Pennsylvania. Another 30 have won three times.

2025-2026 FloWrestling High School Wrestling Rankings

Top 20 as of Feb. 18, 2026

Curious about how the top wrestlers from each state stack up against competitors from across the country?

Click here to see the latest high school rankings from FloWrestling.

FULL DUAL: Bishop McCort vs. Faith Christian | 2026 PIAA AA Team State Finals

Faith Christian has been dominant in team wrestling in Pennsylvania, and Bishop McCort keeps falling just short.

Trackwrestling Has Joined The New FloWrestling

Trackwrestling officially has merged with FloWrestling, bringing its powerful tournament tracking tools and live data into a modern, all-in-one platform.

Fans can follow every bout with pro-grade brackets, mat schedules, team rosters and detailed wrestler profiles—all seamlessly integrated within FloWrestling.

This move delivers a faster, smarter and more connected experience for the wrestling community. Through the updated FloSports app, users can track live results, explore brackets and even sign up for free alerts so they never miss a match.

FloWrestling Archived Footage

Video footage from all events on FloWrestling will be archived and stored in a video library for FloWrestling subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

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Pennsylvania

Man cited after abandoning car in frozen pond at Pennsylvania country club: Police

Published

18 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Man cited after abandoning car in frozen pond at Pennsylvania country club: Police

A man has been cited after police said he drove a vehicle into a frozen pond at a country club in Pennsylvania, left the scene, then spent the night in a hotel.

According to the East Lampeter Township Police Department, on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, around 10:38 a.m., officers were called to the Lancaster Country Club after receiving reports about a vehicle in a pond.

Police said that, through an investigation, it was learned that Sung Chun, a 50-year-old man from Hoboken, New Jersey, had driven onto the property the day before around 8:30 p.m., crossed portions of the golf course, and ultimately ended up in a pond.

Chun then exited the vehicle and walked away without reporting the incident and spent the night at a nearby hotel, according to police.

Credit: East Lampeter Township Police Department

Police said Chun returned to the location while police were on scene investigating the incident and was ultimately cited with “Trespass by Motor Vehicle.”

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Pennsylvania

State College, Pennsylvania: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

State College, Pennsylvania: 2026 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards

In rural Pennsylvania, State College houses Penn State against a backdrop of beautiful country scenery. The university hosts many events, arts performances, and lively festivals that give the town year-round excitement that blends student life with local charm. Visitors can attend a football game, explore nearby parks and trails, and savor the town’s growing culinary scene of pubs and local eateries.

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