Pennsylvania
Northeast Pennsylvania is a hot spot for potential data centers
WILKES-BARRE — John Augustine, president/CEO at Penn’s Northeast, says Northeast Pennsylvania has become one of the most sought-after landing spots for data centers.
The question is, why?
“We are seeing a tremendous amount of interest in data centers coming to NEPA,” Augustine said. “They will bring good-paying jobs, lots of opportunities and add to the tax base. It’s a win, win, win situation.”
Augustine said several companies have contacted his office about building a data center in the region, but they can’t be revealed for confidentiality reasons.
One developer, NorthPoint Development, recently gained approval for a 15-building data center campus in Hazleton.
Two others are planned around the Invenergy natural gas plant in Jessup, and others have been checking out undisclosed locations in the region.
“Much of land that would be developed is mine-scarred land,” Augustine said. Data centers would offer good, family-sustaining jobs and improve the landscape of NEPA.”
Augustine noted that data centers require power to operate. He said PPL stands ready to meet the challenge and the region’s bountiful supply of natural gas in the Marcellus shale would also be key in attracting developers.
Augustine also noted that Amazon Web Services is under construction in Salem Township.
“Our region is hot right now,” Augustine said. We are under a microscope, so to speak. We have the land, the water and, most importantly, we have the power.”
Augustine said we could see one to three new data center projects announced this year.
In February, the Times Leader reported that NorthPoint Development is seeking a Luzerne County real estate tax break for a 15-building data center on a 1,280-acre site in Hazle Township.
Called “Hazelnut,” the property slated for a data center is near the Humboldt Industrial Park’s north zone close to Interstate 81.
The public water system will only be used for restrooms and other standard business uses.
Due to the climate in this area, NorthPoint expects an air-cooled system will suffice most of the time to minimize reliance on water for cooling. Because the public water system won’t be tapped for cooling, the developer is in discussions about accessing some “gray water” from the wastewater treatment plant on the opposite side of I-81 in West Hazleton.
NorthPoint said investments made at the new data center will help reinforce and strengthen the electric system for all utility customers, creating fewer power outages and disruptions.
If there are blackouts, diesel-powered generators would provide back-up power to the data center.
The project is expected to create approximately 900 permanent jobs, including electrical engineering and information technology positions that should provide family-sustaining wages.
What is a data center? What are hyper data centers?
Augustine said there are different types and sizes of data centers. The one in Berwick for Amazon Web Services is a hyper-scale center.
A data center essentially is a large, specialized facility that houses a vast network of computer servers, storage devices, and networking equipment, acting as the digital heart of modern businesses by storing, processing, and distributing massive amounts of data, powering everything from online banking to streaming services, and essentially making the internet function as we know it today.
So why the need and explosive growth for data centers?
Artificial Intelligence is the fastest growing technology — ever. Also there has been a tremendous increase in the use of “the cloud.”
What is needed for a data center?
“Power and lots of it!” Augustine said. “Data centers can use anywhere from 50MW to 500MW.
Land — smaller data centers can be on a few acres, where hyper centers require 200-1,000 acres
Water — many data centers currently use a lot of water to cool the computer servers housed within. However, technology is changing to offer different options, like air cooling.
Where will potential data centers go?
Because of the need for large amounts of power and land — Augustine says many data centers need to sit close to infrastructure like a power plant and high transmission power lines.
A recent Associated Press story said tech giants are increasingly looking to strike deals with power plant owners to plug in directly, avoiding a potentially longer and more expensive process of hooking into a fraying electric grid that serves everyone else.
The AP story said:
“The arrangement between the plant’s owners and Amazon Web Services — called a ‘behind the meter’ connection — is the first such to come before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. For now, FERC has rejected a deal that could eventually send 960 megawatts — about 40% of the plant’s capacity — to the data center. That’s enough to power more than a half-million homes.
“It’s not clear when FERC, which blocked the deal on a procedural ground, will take up the matter again or how the change in presidential administrations might affect things.
“For AWS, the deal with Susquehanna satisfies its need for reliable power that meets its internal requirements for sources that don’t emit planet-warming greenhouse gases, like coal, oil or gas-fueled plants.
“A favorable ruling from FERC could open the door to many more huge data centers and other massive power users like hydrogen plants and bitcoin miners, analysts say.
“In the meantime, the agency is hearing arguments for and against the Susquehanna-AWS deal.”
Key points about data centers
The first data centers emerged in the 1940s with the development of early computers like the ENIAC, where large rooms were needed to house and operate these machines.
As computers became smaller and more powerful, data centers evolved to accommodate more servers and complex networking systems, with the “dot-com boom” of the late 1990s significantly accelerating their growth.
Critical components
• Servers: The core of a data center, responsible for processing and storing data.
• Storage systems: High-capacity storage devices to house large volumes of data.
• Networking infrastructure: Complex network systems to efficiently route data between servers and users.
• Cooling systems: Essential for maintaining optimal temperatures to prevent overheating of equipment.
• Power supply: Reliable power sources with backup generators to ensure uninterrupted operation.
Different Types of Data Centers
• On-premise: Owned and operated by a single organization within their own facility.
• Colocation: Companies rent space in a shared data center to house their servers.
• Cloud data center: Large-scale data centers operated by cloud computing providers, offering services to multiple customers.
Challenges and Considerations
• Energy Consumption: Data centers are significant energy consumers, driving focus on energy efficiency strategies.
• Security: Protecting data from unauthorized access and cyber threats is paramount.
• Scalability: The ability to adapt to changing data storage and processing needs.
In summary, data centers are the backbone of the digital world, providing the infrastructure needed to store and process massive amounts of data, powering the services and applications we use daily, with continuous advancements in technology shaping their design and capabilities to meet the growing demands of the digital age.
PPL statement
Dana Burns, Director of Communications at PPL Electric Utilities, issued the following statement.
“As part of our commitment to building a stronger, smarter and more reliable electric system, PPL Electric Utilities continually invests in enhancing our infrastructure to meet the growing needs of our customers. We recognize that a resilient power grid is essential in supporting new businesses, fostering economic growth and ensuring our communities thrive.
“Data centers are part of the infrastructure of the 21st century. Our daily use of laptops, cell phones and the internet rely on data centers. Data center build-out in Pennsylvania positions the state to remain at the cutting edge of technology and productivity.
“We have had significant interest from data center developers, in part due to the reliability and capacity of our transmission system, as well as our response times. We have more than 9GW of data center projects in advanced stages and see substantial long-term growth opportunities throughout our service territory.
“Infrastructure upgrades related to these projects will bring strong reliability benefits to the region along with future reduced transmission service costs for all customers.
Data centers are powerful engines for local economic growth, creating new jobs, boosting tax revenues, and fostering infrastructure improvements that benefit the broader community. Communities that attract data centers set the stage for long-term success, creating a sustainable business and tech ecosystem that will support future generations.
As the data center industry grows in Pennsylvania, we will continue to provide the high-quality, reliable service our customers rely on, while supporting sustainable growth and innovation across the region. We remain dedicated to providing the infrastructure that powers progress and drives success for both our current and future customers.”
Rep. Bresnahan, Chamber President comment
U.S. rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township, said data centers have the power to be significant investments in our community, providing both immediate and long-term economic benefits as well as skilled construction jobs.
“I am pleased to hear that companies are looking to Northeastern Pennsylvania for their data centers, which can serve as catalysts for economic growth and technological innovation for our region as we work towards fostering a 22nd century workforce,” Bresnahan said. “The second fastest growing industry in Northeastern Pennsylvania is energized land, which will help power these data centers. I look forward to these investments and encourage companies to look to Northeastern Pennsylvania as a home for economic and technological advancements.”
Luke Bernstein, President/CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, said Pennsylvania is at the epicenter of the AI and Data Center revolution.
“The Commonwealth is well situated from a location perspective,” Bernstein said. “We have the ability to harness our natural resources to create electricity and fuel this economic opportunity, while ensuring our national security interests and benefiting the local communities. Marcellus Shale is the foundation for this future. Pipelines and new power plants will drive innovation and environmental sustainability.
The PA Chamber will discuss this opportunity with local leaders at Lackawanna College on May 2.
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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Pennsylvania
Geospatial Study Ties Melanoma Hot Spots to Farming Practices in Pennsylvania | Managed Healthcare Executive
Melanoma, a cancer most often associated with sun exposure and individual risk factors, appears to follow the contours of Pennsylvania’s agricultural landscape, according to a new analysis that highlights striking regional differences in incidence. Adults living in counties with more cultivated land and heavier herbicide use had significantly higher melanoma rates, even after researchers accounted for ultraviolet radiation and social vulnerability.
The study, published in November 2025 in
Melanoma incidence in the United States has tripled since the mid-1970s. Although advances in treatment have improved survival, the disease is still expected to claim thousands of lives this year. Ultraviolet radiation is the leading environmental risk factor, but studies of outdoor workers, including those in agriculture, have produced mixed results. That inconsistency has fueled interest in whether farming-related exposures, such as pesticides, may play a role alongside sun exposure.
To examine that question at the population level, a team of researchers at Penn State College of Medicine conducted an ecologic analysis using county-level data from across Pennsylvania. The team analyzed invasive melanoma incidence from 2017 through 2021 among adults 50 years and older and paired those data with measures of agricultural land use, pesticide application, ambient ultraviolet radiation and socioeconomic vulnerability.
Using geospatial clustering techniques, the researchers identified a statistically significant melanoma hot spot spanning 15 counties in South Central Pennsylvania. Eight of those counties are designated as metropolitan, challenging the assumption that agriculture-related cancer risks are confined to rural areas. Compared with counties outside the cluster, those within it had nearly three times more cultivated land and more than double the proportion of herbicide-treated acreage.
In statistical models adjusted for ultraviolet radiation and social vulnerability, each 10% increase in cultivated land corresponded to a 14% increase in melanoma incidence. A roughly 9% increase in herbicide-treated acreage was associated with a similar 14% rise. Herbicides showed the strongest and most consistent association, while smaller positive associations were also observed for insecticide-, fungicide- and manure-treated land.
The authors noted that the entire high-incidence cluster falls within the 28-county catchment area of the Penn State Cancer Institute. That alignment, they wrote, creates an opportunity to integrate research, outreach and prevention efforts in a region with elevated melanoma burden.
Because the study used an ecologic design, it cannot establish cause and effect or assess individual-level exposures, the authors cautioned. The analysis also could not account for personal behaviors, genetic risk or direct measures of pesticide exposure. Still, the findings add to a growing body of literature linking agricultural practices, particularly pesticide use, with melanoma risk in farming regions.
Taken together, the results support a broader
Several faculty groups have denounced the Trump administration’s efforts to obtain information about Jewish professors, staff and students at the University of Pennsylvania – including personal emails, phone numbers and home addresses – as government abuse with “ominous historical overtones”.
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is demanding the university turn over names and personal information about Jewish members of the Penn community as part of the administration’s stated goal to combat antisemitism on campuses. But some Jewish faculty and staff have condemned the government’s demand as “a visceral threat to the safety of those who would find themselves identified because compiling and turning over to the government ‘lists of Jews’ conjures a terrifying history”, according to a press release put out by the groups’ lawyers.
The EEOC sued Penn in November over the university’s refusal to fully comply with its demands. On Tuesday, the American Association of University Professors’ national and Penn chapters, the university’s Jewish Law Students Association and its Association of Senior and Emeritus Faculty, and the American Academy of Jewish Research filed a motion in federal court to intervene in the case.
“These requests would require Penn to create and turn over a centralized registry of Jewish students, faculty, and staff – a profoundly invasive and dangerous demand that intrudes deeply into the freedoms of association, religion, speech, and privacy enshrined in the First Amendment,” the groups argued.
“We are entering territory that should shock every single one of us,” said Norm Eisen, co-founder and executive chair of the Democracy Defenders Fund on a press call. The fund is representing the faculty groups along with the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the firm Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin and Schiller. “That kind of information – however purportedly benign the excuses given for it – can be put to the most dangerous misuse. This is an abuse of government power that drags us back to some of the darkest chapters in our history.”
The EEOC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The University of Pennsylvania was among dozens of US universities to come under federal investigation over alleged antisemitism in the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza. In response, the university established a taskforce to study antisemitism, implemented a series of measures and shared hundreds of pages of documents to comply with government demands.
But the university refused to comply with the EEOC’s July subpoena for personal information of Jewish faculty, students and staff, or those affiliated with Jewish organizations who had not given their consent, as well as the names of individuals who had participated in confidential listening sessions or received a survey by the university’s antisemitism taskforce. A university spokesperson said in November that “violating their privacy and trust is antithetical to ensuring Penn’s Jewish community feels protected and safe”. Instead, the university offered to inform all its employees of the EEOC investigation, inviting those interested to contact the agency directly.
But that was not enough for the commission, which brought the university to court to seek to enforce the subpoena.
“The EEOC remains steadfast in its commitment to combatting workplace antisemitism and seeks to identify employees who may have experienced antisemitic harassment. Unfortunately, the employer continues to refuse to identify members of its workforce who may have been subjected to this unlawful conduct,” the EEOC chair, Andrea Lucas, said in a statement at the time. “An employer’s obstruction of efforts to identify witnesses and victims undermines the EEOC’s ability to investigate harassment.”
The EEOC request prompted widespread alarm and condemnation among Jewish faculty, and earned rebukes from the university’s Hillel and other Jewish groups.
Steven Weitzman, a professor with Penn’s religious studies department who also served on the university’s antisemitism taskforce, said that the mere request for such lists “instills a sense of vulnerability among Jews” and that the government cannot guarantee that the information it collects won’t fall “into the wrong hands or have unintended consequences”.
“Part of what sets off alarm bells for people like me is a history of people using Jewish lists against Jews,” he said . “The Nazi campaign against Jews depended on institutions like universities handing over information about their Jewish members to the authorities.”
“As Jewish study scholars, we know well the dangers of collecting such information,” said Beth Wenger, who teaches Jewish history at Penn.
It’s not the first time the EEOC’s efforts to fight antisemitism have caused alarm among Jewish faculty. Last spring, the commission texted the personal phones of employees of Barnard College, the women’s school affiliated with Columbia University, linking to a survey that asked respondents whether they identified as Jewish or Israeli.
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