(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – A data center owned by Amazon Web Services, front right, is under construction next to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Berwick, Pa., on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, file)

(Reported by Danielle Smith, Keystone News Service)

(Columbia Borough, PA) As data center projects continue expanding into rural communities, some Pennsylvania residents are coming together to safeguard their communities. In Columbia Borough, council members unanimously rejected a 6-point-4-million-dollar bid from Saadia Holdings to build a data center on the former McGinness Airport property. Pennsylvania Stands Up organizer Taylor Enterline says over 500 residents attended the council meeting. The turnout was fueled by outreach efforts that included door-to-door canvassing and sharing personal stories. She notes residents question the lack of transparency and potential environmental and quality-of-life impacts. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro recently announced Responsible Infrastructure Development standards for data center development, requiring stricter rules on energy use, transparency, and community input.