Public Hearing Series on Data Centers: Part I

Public Hearing Series on Data Centers: Part I

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  • For Immediate Release
  • March 31, 2026

MEDIA ADVISORY

Public Hearing Series on Data Centers: Part I
Mapping the Landscape Across State, Local, Industry, and Environmental Perspectives

What: The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors and staff are convening the first hearing in a multi-part public hearing series examining the growth of data centers in Pennsylvania. This initial hearing will map the current landscape across state, local, industry, and environmental perspectives. Testimony will focus on siting considerations, infrastructure and energy demands, regulatory frameworks, and the range of issues shaping data center development in rural communities to inform policymakers. The hearing will also feature perspectives from local elected officials representing communities directly impacted by current and proposed development. Future hearings in this series will examine additional dimensions of data center development in greater depth.

Who:
The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors

  • Senator Gene Yaw, Chair
  • Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, Vice Chair
  • Dr. Nancy Falvo, Pennsylvania Western University Clarion, Secretary
  • Mr. Stephen M. Brame, Governor's Representative, Treasurer
  • Senator Judy Schwank
  • Representative Dan Moul
  • Dr. David Abler, The Pennsylvania State University
  • Mr. Richard Esch, University of Pittsburgh
  • Dr. Jeffrey Hyde, Penn State Extension
  • Ms. Shannon M. Munro, Pennsylvania College of Technology
  • Dr. Charles Patterson, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
  • Ms. Susan Snelick, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College
  • Mr. Darrin Youker, Governor's Representative

Anticipated Testifiers:

Panel 1: The Commonwealth's Work with Data Centers
  • Mr. James R. Ladlee, State Program Leader for Emerging and Advanced Technology, Penn State Extension
  • Representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (TBD)
Panel 2: Local Elected Officials' Perspectives on Data Centers
  • Mr. Shane Nickerson, Commissioner, Tioga County, Pennsylvania
  • Ms. Sherene Hess, Commissioner, Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Panel 3: Industry, Energy, and Conservation Perspectives on Data Centers
  • Mr. Stephen E. Bennett, Senior Manager, PJM Interconnection
  • Mr. Andrew D. Denhoff, P.E., Executive Director, Susquehanna River Basin Commission
  • Mr. Dan Diorio, Vice President, Data Center Coalition

When: Friday, April 17, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center, 104 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901

Livestream: www.SenatorGeneYaw.com and www.Facebook.com/SenatorGeneYaw .

Contact: Katie Park, Communications Manager Center for Rural Pennsylvania (717) 787-9555, kpark@rural.pa.gov

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The Center works with the legislature, educators, state and federal executive branch agencies, and national, statewide, regional and local organizations to maximize resources and strategies that can better serve Pennsylvania's nearly 3.4 million rural residents.

Contact

Katie Park, Communications Manager
Center for Rural Pennsylvania
717.787.9555