PTC Calls for Temporary Pause on Data Center Legislation
The Pittsburgh Technology Council today called on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and leaders of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to temporarily pause consideration of data center-related legislation introduced during the final hours of budget negotiations, warning that unintended consequences could jeopardize one of the Commonwealth's most significant manufacturing opportunities in decades.
In a letter delivered to state leaders, the Council emphasized that the request is not being made on behalf of any single data center project. Rather, it is about protecting Pennsylvania manufacturing jobs.
Recent research commissioned by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Pennsylvania Builds the Cloud, found that Pennsylvania has quietly become the manufacturing backbone of America's rapidly expanding AI and data center economy. The Commonwealth now leads all PJM states in exports of manufactured products and raw materials supporting data center construction, including transformers, switchgear, electrical equipment, structural steel, cable, cooling systems, and other critical infrastructure. In fact, Pennsylvania exports nearly $15 billion annually in manufactured goods and raw materials to states within the PJM power grid, making it the region's leading supplier to the data center economy.
"Pennsylvania has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become America's manufacturing center for AI infrastructure," said Audrey Russo, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council. "These aren't just technology jobs in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. These are manufacturing jobs in communities across the Commonwealth—many of them in rural counties that have spent decades working to rebuild their industrial base."
Russo said the historic manufacturing strength that once made southwestern Pennsylvania known as the 'Empire of Lights' is experiencing a powerful resurgence.
"In southwestern Pennsylvania alone, at least eight manufacturing facilities are currently under construction to produce equipment supporting the data center supply chain," Russo said. "These are exactly the kinds of family-sustaining jobs Pennsylvania has fought to attract. Before any legislation affecting this industry moves forward, manufacturers, labor leaders, and local communities deserve the opportunity to review the legislation and help policymakers understand its potential impacts and unintended consequences."
The Pittsburgh Technology Council stressed that it is not questioning the intent of the legislation or its sponsors. Rather, the organization believes proposals with potentially far-reaching consequences for manufacturing, energy, and economic development deserve a careful and comprehensive review before becoming law.
"The request is simple," Russo said. "Take a brief pause. Bring manufacturers, labor leaders, local communities, and policymakers to the table. Let's make sure we get this right before decisions are finalized."
The Council said it stands ready to work collaboratively with the Administration and General Assembly to ensure Pennsylvania remains both a national leader in AI infrastructure and the premier location for manufacturing the equipment that powers it.