Where the Cloud Meets the Valley: Understanding Data Centers in NEPA

If you’ve followed local headlines lately, you’ve probably heard talk about “data centers” being proposed across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Some are excited, others cautious — and many are simply wondering what a data center actually is and why companies want to build them here.

 

Let’s start with the basics.

 

What Exactly Is a Data Center?

 

A data center is essentially the physical home of the internet. It’s where the digital world lives — vast, climate-controlled buildings filled with rows of servers and networking equipment that store, process, and transmit the information we use every day.

Every photo you upload to the cloud, every email sent, every movie streamed, every AI tool that answers a question or generates an image — all of it passes through one or more data centers somewhere in the world.

 

Readers of  Hart of the Issue  may recall that I’ve written before about artificial intelligence and how rapidly it’s becoming part of our daily lives. The growth of AI has only accelerated the need for computing power, which in turn has made data centers more essential than ever. That’s a big reason why this conversation seems to have appeared “overnight” in our region — the demand is real, and companies are moving quickly to meet it.

 

Why Are Companies Looking at Northeastern Pennsylvania?

 

Our region has caught the attention of large companies for several reasons:

1. Location: NEPA sits between major metro areas like New York City, Philadelphia, and the data hub of Northern Virginia — an ideal midpoint for storing and transferring data efficiently.  
2. Available Land: Compared to coastal markets, our area has more open, affordable land suitable for large facilities. Developers are eyeing up all of the available land along the entirety of the Casey Highway between Scranton and Carbondale.
3. Infrastructure: Access to existing power grids, substations, and water supplies supports energy-intensive operations, including the newly built Jessup power-plant.
4. Climate: Cooler average temperatures help reduce cooling costs for servers.
5. Economic Incentives: Local and state programs sometimes offer grants or tax advantages for technology development.

Of course, these same benefits also spark important discussions about sustainability, community character, and resource management.

 

The Legal Framework — Simplified

 

From a legal perspective, data centers are treated much like other large commercial or industrial developments. They must comply with local zoning, land development, and state environmental rules.

In Pennsylvania, these decisions happen at the municipal level, meaning each township, borough, or city determines if and where a data center may be built.

Typical steps include:

• Zoning approval – verifying that the proposed site allows such use.
• Land development approval – engineering plans, stormwater management, and traffic studies.
• State permits – through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for stormwater, erosion control, and emissions from backup generators.

While the county’s planning commission often reviews plans, it’s the local governing body that makes the final call. Public hearings are part of the process, giving residents an opportunity to weigh in before approval.

 

How Might Data Centers Impact the Outdoors?

 

I’d be remiss not to address this question, given how deeply Hart Law is interconnected with the outdoors as part of our mission and community identity.

On one hand, data centers are enclosed, low-traffic facilities — they don’t typically bring heavy truck activity or daily visitors. But they do require large amounts of electricity and water to operate and keep equipment cool. When several centers operate in close proximity, that demand can affect local utilities and natural resources.

There’s also the matter of land use. Building on previously undeveloped property can affect drainage patterns, ecosystems, and green space visibility — especially in rural areas where residents value the region’s natural beauty.

 

However, modern design approaches can help minimize these effects. Some companies are adopting renewable energy, recycling wastewater for cooling, and green building standards to offset their footprint.

 

As someone who values both responsible development and environmental preservation, I believe NEPA’s future depends on finding balance — encouraging innovation while protecting the outdoor spaces that define our home.

 

Potential Benefits

1. Economic Growth: Construction jobs, local tax revenue, and potential for support industries (maintenance, security, utilities).
2. Infrastructure Investment: Utility upgrades and broadband expansion that can benefit surrounding communities.
3. Modernization: Positions NEPA as part of a growing national tech corridor, attracting other technology investments.

Potential Concerns

1. Energy and Water Use: Large, continuous demand on local utilities.
2. Environmental Footprint: Noise, heat, and stormwater impacts if not carefully managed.
3. Land Use Conflicts: Potential conversion of green space or farmland into industrial zones.

None of these are unique to our area, but they underscore why public participation and transparent planning are so important.

Where to Learn More

If you’d like to explore this topic from a fact-based, neutral perspective, these are excellent starting points:

• U.S. Department of Energy – Data Centers & Energy Efficiency – explains how data centers operate and their energy impact.
• Uptime Institute – Data Center Trends Reports – industry data on growth, sustainability, and design.
• EPA ENERGY STAR for Data Centers – information on efficiency and environmental best practices.
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)  – permits, stormwater management, and environmental review processes.
• Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247) – outlines how zoning and land development decisions are made.

These resources provide reliable, nonpartisan background for residents who want to understand the broader context before forming opinions.

 

Why It Matters

 

Before taking a stance on this issue, I encourage everyone to   educate themselves   on the facts. Don’t rely solely on headlines, social media posts, or someone else’s opinion. Explore the verified sources listed above, understand how these projects work, and learn what oversight already exists.

And while you’re at it, take a little time to get outside. Visit the areas being discussed for potential development. Walk the trails, drive the roads, and take in the views that make our region unique. Then — with that first-hand perspective and a bit of research — arrive at   your own informed decision   about what’s best for our community.

 

Because whether the topic is growth, preservation, or progress, the best answers always start with an informed and engaged public.

At HART LAW, we believe in informed community conversations — ones that respect progress while protecting the natural and cultural fabric of our region.