Butler County commissioners said it themselves: Data centers coming here isn’t a question of if, but when. Commissioner Kevin Boozel called the energy demand a “rational fear.” Commissioner Leslie Osche said these facilities should bring their own power source.

They’re right to be concerned. The rest of us should demand answers.

Two Western Pennsylvania coal plants, Keystone and Conemaugh, were scheduled to close in 2028. Then surging data center demand changed that. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection approved a consent decree keeping them running through 2032, extending years of pollution while utilities invest billions in new infrastructure to meet growing power demand. Someone pays for those investments.

Pennsylvania families are already seeing higher electric bills as utilities pursue expensive grid upgrades. My electric company warned me about a 13% rate increase, and some residents have reported increases approaching 20%. Yet there are still no comprehensive statewide protections to ensure residents are not left subsidizing the costs of massive new industrial projects.

Proposals are not protections. Bills were introduced requiring data centers to disclose energy and water usage, report future demand and address community impacts. Other proposals would set standards for siting and infrastructure responsibility. None of them are law.

The boom is already underway. Contact your state senator and ask them why measures to protect Pennsylvania families are still sitting while costs are already being passed on to residents.

Nikki Ekas,

Summit Township