SWPA Commission Head Addresses Data Center Issues

Residents in Washington County and beyond are interested in data centers. They come with concerns like the use of electricity, traffic congestion and other issues. There is also noise, health and environmental issues that raise questions. But they also can bring the prospect of job creation. Rich Fitzgerald, the former long-time Allegheny County Chief Executive, is now the Executive Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), which is comprised of both a 60+ member governing body as well as a 50+ member administrative arm that work together on the goals of Transportation, Planning & Development and Information Systems. At the conclusion of a State of the Steel Valley Legislative breakfast Wednesday, Fitzgerald spoke to WJPA news about $40 billion of investment in three projects, and another set for Washington County, the growth of manufacturing companies like GE Vernova in Imperial. He also talked about the opportunities for young people to get into the trades and find gratifying work. He also urged those same residents to talk with their local leaders about contingencies that must be met to build data centers in Fort Cherry as well as other areas of Southwestern Pennsylvania.