07/23/2026
As artificial intelligence (AI) drives rapid growth in data center development, communities across Pennsylvania are facing important questions about what this expansion means for local water resources, energy systems, and quality of life.
The Water Center at Penn is pleased to share a new student-led report, Case Studies: Data Center Impacts on Water, Energy, and Communities in Pennsylvania
https://watercenter.sas.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Digital%20Growth%2C%20Local%20Strain_Final.pdf
Drawing from current research and two Pennsylvania case studies, the report explores how data center development affects water use, energy demand, environmental justice, and community planning. It examines proposed projects in Clifton Township and Conshohocken to highlight how municipalities are balancing economic opportunity with concerns about infrastructure, natural resources, and community impacts.
The report concludes that while data centers present significant opportunities for innovation and economic development, they also underscore the need for proactive planning, clear policy frameworks, and meaningful community engagement to help ensure growth is both responsible and sustainable.
We would like to thank the report authors from the University of Pennsylvania Master of Environmental Studies program, Ambra Bisagni, Beau Brown, Emma Lapp, Lindsey McMackin, Sethu Lakshmi, and Shanze Malik, as well as Jack Murphy, PhD, Lecturer and Academic Advisor for the program, and The Water Center at Penn team members Brenton McCloskey, Emma Denison, and Maya Halma for their guidance and support throughout this project.
