Data center opposition is growing in Philadelphia
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Anti-data center fervor has arrived at Philadelphia's doorstep.
The big picture: The artificial intelligence gold rush has driven demand for large data centers.
- Now, as public sentiment has swiftly shifted against Big Tech on the issue, former boosters — including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro — have made eyebrow-raising U-turns.
Why the hate: Data centers are often big warehouses, offer few long-term jobs and use vast amounts of electricity.
- They can emit noise and vibrations, and many plans for data centers are coming together behind closed doors.
Driving the news: The coalition group No Data Centers in Philly is kicking off a campaign Monday calling on Mayor Cherelle Parker and elected leaders to impose a moratorium on data centers.
- The group — backed by groups like People's Tech Project, Thrive Philly and the Amistad Law Project — is also pressing for new rules around their development.
What they're saying: Anti-data center advocates want time to work with city lawmakers to create tighter restrictions for building the facilities so Philadelphia doesn't become an "extraction zone" for Big Tech companies, Alex Bomstein, member of No Data Centers in Philly and executive director of Clean Air Council, tells Axios.
- "This is a case of Big Tech wanting to come into Philly and make lots of money out of it, while providing few jobs, polluting the neighborhood and not paying taxes," he says.
Worth noting: Parker hasn't publicly shared her stance on data centers, and a spokesperson for her administration declined Axios' request for comment on the mayor's position.
Context: Moratoriums on data centers are the brass ring for anti-tech groups — and, increasingly, politicians.
- In Bucks County, Democrat Bob Harvie running in the 1st congressional district this November released an campaign ad last week calling for such a pause.
Worth noting: Philly currently has about eight operating data centers — and anti-tech advocates fear that number could explode in the coming years.
- Case in point: 401 N. Broad St. in Center City, a multi-use building that includes office space and a data center that supports onsite gaming.
Yes, but: Philly's existing data centers are much smaller than the massive facilities needed in the AI age.
Zoom in: Philly proper only has a few locations that are large enough to house a massive data center.
Per the Planning Commission, two sites opponents fear could become data centers include:
- South Philly's Bellwether District, a multibillion-dollar project remaking a former oil refinery,
- And a city-owned site in Northeast Philly near the airport (2600 Grant Ave.).
Meanwhile, data center opposition is raging in Philly's suburbs.
- Residents in Plymouth Township, Upper Merion Township and Falls Township have mobilized against proposed projects in their communities.
What we're watching: Whether anti-tech sentiment around data centers becomes a potent election issue in Philly's mayoral and City Council elections in 2027.
- And whether City Council or the mayor put forward their own legislation imposing any citywide restrictions on data centers.