Tell the Governor You Want an Open House on Data Centers
In the past year, Pennsylvanians have experienced a tsunami of data center proposals. The known impacts of the data centers themselves, as well as those of the fossil fuel and nuclear infrastructure necessary to power them, are profound. Additional impacts are being identified as research struggles to catch up with the data center development.
Governor Josh Shapiro boasts that he “Gets Stuff Done.” To date, “Gets Stuff Done” has involved brokering deals, promoting industry-friendly policies and subsidies, pressing to add more power generation to the grid, and smoothing the way for data center developers with fast-tracked permitting and other assists.
The one thing he has not gotten done is hearing from his constituents. The Better Path and No False Climate Solutions PA Coalitions – of which Green Amendments For The Generations is a part — have attempted to work with the Gov’s office to schedule a statewide virtual town hall. He has not made himself available for two hours to hear from the people.
Since he refused to work with us, we are now scheduling the town hall for 7 – 9 p.m. on May 13 and are inviting him, federal and state legislators, regulators, local officials, and press to attend. We will deliver a 4′ engraved invitation to his office on May 5.
Our coalition has started a petition to make it easy for people to add their names to the invitation. Your signatures on this petition will be added as individual signers. If your organization would like to sign the invitation, please use this form.
Pennsylvania residents, if you would like to sign up for a speaking slot at the town hall, please sign up here.
Here’s the direct link to the petition, https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/governor-shapiro-hear-the-voices-of-your-constituents-on-data-centers
Talen Energy Data Center – Montour County – Not Protecting Environmental Rights
Update on the hearing outcome:
The hearing on Talen
Energy’s Rezoning petition in order to accommodate a data center was inspirational from the point of the opposition. Despite it being a work week, work day hearing (friday starting at 9:30 am), the room was full and the testimony was powerful.
On February 10th, the Montour County Commissioners unanimously voted NO to rezone approx. 1000 acres of farmland to industrial to allow for a data center and powerplant proposal by Talen Energy and Amazon. Community member after community member described this battle as David vs. Goliath, and they couldn’t be more right. Pennsylvania’s Green Amendment, Article 1 Section 27, was mentioned several times at the commissioners hearing in January.
Talen Energy Supply, LLC (Talen Energy) is asking the Montour County Commissioners to rezone over 800 acres of land from zoning as agricultural, public/semi public or rural residential uses to an industrial use designation. In response to strong community advocacy, Talen Energy confirmed that the change in zoning was needed to support a planned data center.
Background:
After a robust hearing in November, 2025, the Montour County Planning Commission recommended that the rezoning request be rejected by the County Commissioners who are the final arbiter of the petition.
The County Commissioners held a hearing on January 23, 2026
Green Amendments For The Generations submitted a written comment urging rejection of the rezoning request and plans to be represented at the hearing.
Ensure Local Authority For Environmental Rights Protection
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is considering a new piece of legislation clearly designed to help advance dirty energy and strip away local authority, including its duty to protect the environmental rights and natural resources of their community.
Read the comment Green Amendments For The Generations has submitted.
We need your support – if this bill is ever signed in to law, it will be important we are well poised to challenge it in court as an unconstitutional violation of Pennsylvania’s Green Amendment.
If you want to help, please be sure you are signed up as a Green Amendments member so you are top of the list to be notified of action opportunities.
Active Action Alert!
Sign the letter demanding PA Governor Shapiro stand up to the Trump administration’s energy overreach and uphold obligations under the Pennsylvania Green Amendment.
PA Green Amendment Webinar on April 8!
Join Green Amendments For The Generations for an in-depth webinar all about the Pennsylvania Green Amendment– its history, language, and applications at the state and local government levels. Experts will speak specifically to Green Amendment obligations and opportunities for municipal government officials, state regulatory agencies, and state legislators, followed by a Question and Answer session. Resources will be made available during and after the webinar.
See our speaker lineup and register for the webinar on the Calendar Page.
Become a Green Amendment Ambassador
Speak to your church or community group;- Share the message through door hangers;
- Invite your local business to sign on in support;
- Spread the word online via social media.
There are many ways to engage as an ambassador and to educate others about the values of a Pennsylvania Green Amendment.
Learn more about the options and sign up here: I’m interested in being a Green Amendment Ambassador.
