Questions Every Pennsylvanian Should Be Asking About AI, Data Centers, and Their Elected Officials
Why are people raising concerns about data centers?
Artificial intelligence has created an enormous demand for data centers across Pennsylvania. These projects consume massive amounts of electricity, water, and land, yet many communities say they're learning about them only after deals are already underway. Meanwhile, legislation that could regulate the industry remains stalled in the state Senate.
Is it illegal for lawmakers to support industries that donate to them?
No.
Campaign contributions, business relationships, and legislative advocacy are all legal.
The question isn't whether a law was broken. The question is whether the public has enough information to decide whether lawmakers' financial relationships—or those of their employers and political supporters—could influence public policy.
What questions surround Senator Greg Rothman?
According to Spotlight PA, Greg Rothman's real estate company received a commission from the sale of land that is now being developed into the massive PAX-1 data center in Cumberland County.
Rothman has declined to disclose how much he earned.
Less than a month after that transaction closed, Rothman introduced Senate Bill 939 with Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, legislation intended to make Pennsylvania more attractive for AI and data center development, including provisions that would have expedited permitting and limited local zoning authority.
What about Senator Tracy Pennycuick?
Pennycuick was the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 939, legislation designed to fast-track AI and data center development across Pennsylvania.
The proposal would create statewide regulatory relief and guarantee more predictable permitting for developers while limiting local governments' ability to impose stricter requirements than other industrial projects.
Supporters say the bill encourages investment and jobs. Critics argue it prioritizes developers over local communities.
Why is Senator Frank Farry included?
Sen. Frank Farry works as an attorney at Begley, Carlin & Mandio LLP.
The law firm publicly lists NorthPoint Development as a client. NorthPoint is developing the proposed Amazon data center in Falls Township, located inside Farry's Senate district.
The firm represented NorthPoint during the property's acquisition and approval process.
Meanwhile, Farry voted for Pennsylvania's original data center tax credit as a state representative and later cosponsored legislation expanding that incentive after joining the Senate.
Those overlapping relationships raise questions about whether lawmakers should participate in policy affecting projects connected to their employers.
Why is Senator Rosemary Brown part of the discussion?
Brown received a $5,000 campaign contribution from the CEO of Kriger Construction, the company developing proposed data centers in Archbald.
Soon afterward, she hosted a taxpayer-funded hearing featuring data center developers and supporters.
Although Brown later voiced concerns about rapid data center expansion and proposed additional study and a statewide moratorium, those efforts failed to produce new statewide protections as projects continued moving forward.
Why is Senator John Fetterman part of this conversation?
Fetterman has said little publicly about the electricity, water, and zoning fights unfolding in Pennsylvania communities, even as data center projects multiply across the state he represents in Washington.
He has, however, spoken out against skepticism of AI and data centers within his own party. In an interview covered by The Hill, Fetterman called Democratic calls for a moratorium on data centers "lunacy" and said opposing the industry amounts to a "China-first kind of policy."
Fetterman has also aligned himself closely with Pennsylvania's junior senator, Republican Dave McCormick, on data center and AI policy, leaving few prominent statewide voices raising the same concerns state lawmakers are hearing from their districts.
Why is Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman to blame?
Unlike the others, the issue isn't a financial relationship.
As Senate Majority Leader, Pittman controls much of the Senate agenda.
Despite bipartisan concerns over electric grid reliability, local impacts, and transparency, House-passed data center legislation has remained stalled in the Senate. Pittman has said the issue requires a broader approach before lawmakers act, leaving major regulatory proposals without a vote.
Why is Senator Camera Bartolotta drawing attention?
Last year, Sen. Camera Bartolotta introduced legislation that would make it easier for data centers to receive local zoning approval.
Around the same time, EQT—a natural gas company that has aggressively expanded into powering AI data centers—began publicly promoting rural Pennsylvania as a prime location for new facilities.
During the 2026 primary election, Bartolotta highlighted EQT CEO Toby Rice as a first-time primary voter. Campaign finance records show Rice and EQT contributed a combined $15,000 to her campaign between March 31 and May 4.
Bartolotta's district is also home to eight proposed data center projects, one of the largest concentrations in Pennsylvania.
None of those facts alone prove wrongdoing. Together, however, they raise legitimate questions about the relationship between lawmakers, campaign donors, and an industry seeking favorable legislation.
