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Report: Pennsylvania gas power to grow 15% by 2030

Pennsylvania's data center boom is expected to drive a new wave of natural gas development.

News

Pennsylvania&#x27;s natural gas power capacity is projected to grow at least 15% by 2030, driven largely by rising electricity demand from data centers, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PennEnvironment Research &amp; Policy Center" data-vars-click-url="https://environmentamerica.org/center/resources/data-centers-are-driving-a-surge-in-fossil-fuel-plants/" data-vars-content-id="44d45ab6-f125-45ea-ac8e-a1d233000177" data-vars-headline="Report: Pennsylvania gas power to grow 15% by 2030" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://environmentamerica.org/center/resources/data-centers-are-driving-a-surge-in-fossil-fuel-plants/" target="_blank">PennEnvironment Research &amp; Policy Center</a> analysis of federal data.Why it matters: Pennsylvania&#x27;s data center <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/03/pittsburgh-pennsylvania-gas-data-center-boom" data-vars-content-id="44d45ab6-f125-45ea-ac8e-a1d233000177" data-vars-headline="Report: Pennsylvania gas power to grow 15% by 2030" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/03/pittsburgh-pennsylvania-gas-data-center-boom" target="_self">boom</a> is expected to drive a new wave of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="natural gas development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/16/ai-natural-gas-data-centers-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="44d45ab6-f125-45ea-ac8e-a1d233000177" data-vars-headline="Report: Pennsylvania gas power to grow 15% by 2030" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/16/ai-natural-gas-data-centers-pennsylvania" target="_self">natural gas development</a>, as developers required by the state to supply their own power pursue gas-fired plants — potentially locking in fossil fuel infrastructure for decades, per the report.

Savannah Bananas coming back to Pittsburgh

Banana Ball returns to PNC Park for two games next August. The ticket lottery is open.

Sports

Banana Ball is returning to the Steel City.Why it matters: The traveling baseball team, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Savannah Bananas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/29/savannah-bananas-banana-ball-ohio-tour-2024" data-vars-content-id="090f3b91-173f-4dc9-a3c5-2ef0c1dd17b1" data-vars-headline="Savannah Bananas coming back to Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/29/savannah-bananas-banana-ball-ohio-tour-2024" target="_self">Savannah Bananas</a>, are coming to PNC Park next August and the ticket lottery for the wildly popular games is open now.

Pittsburgh legends get their stars on Smallman

From the Terrible Towel to Hollywood, Pittsburgh's newest honorees left their mark on America.

The Pittsburgh Walk of Fame doubled its star power Tuesday, unveiling a second class of honorees whose bronze stars now line the Strip District Terminal.Why it matters: From Hollywood and professional sports to art and industry, the honorees reflect Pittsburgh&#x27;s outsized influence on America.

A 6pm dance party is coming to Pittsburgh

Earlybirds Club is bringing throwback hits and an early bedtime to Stage AE.

Culture

The dance floor is calling, but your bedtime is safe.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Earlybirds Club" data-vars-click-url="https://early-birds.club/" data-vars-content-id="60856cdd-1e03-48a7-ba26-cbee96b3fa7e" data-vars-headline="A 6pm dance party is coming to Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://early-birds.club/" target="_blank">Earlybirds Club</a>, a national dance party series, is coming to Pittsburgh later this month with throwback hits, new friends and plenty of time to get your beauty sleep.

More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18

The new service gives Pittsburgh two daily trains to Harrisburg, Philadelphia and NYC.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second daily train" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" data-vars-content-id="ad28d0ba-977c-4bef-8055-328865e5ecd7" data-vars-headline="More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" target="_self">second daily train</a> between Pittsburgh and New York City via Harrisburg and Philadelphia will start Nov. 18, PennDOT announced Tuesday. Why it matters: This is the first time in decades that Pittsburgh is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adding passenger train service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/24/second-daily-amtrak-pennsylvanian-november-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="ad28d0ba-977c-4bef-8055-328865e5ecd7" data-vars-headline="More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/24/second-daily-amtrak-pennsylvanian-november-pittsburgh" target="_self">adding passenger train service</a>.

PRT plans major bus route overhaul

The proposal eliminates 20 routes, adds 14 and modifies 56 others.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is moving forward with a major bus network redesign.Why it matters: Public transit users have adapted their habits since the pandemic — less workday commuting and more weekend use, for example — and PRT wants to adjust its network to better accommodate riders.

Oakland gets bus-only lanes

Drivers have until Oct. 1 before PRT begins issuing tickets for lane violations.

Transit

Oakland now has two bus-only lanes: one on Fifth Avenue and the other on Forbes Avenue. Why it matters: The lanes are part of Pittsburgh Regional Transit&#x27;s University Line, which is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extending from Downtown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/28/bus-rapid-transit-university-line-launch-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="d194b91b-e30b-420a-9da6-7fd987140bd2" data-vars-headline="Oakland gets bus-only lanes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/28/bus-rapid-transit-university-line-launch-pittsburgh" target="_self">extending from Downtown</a>, through Uptown and into Oakland.

Pennsylvania powers up its electric vehicle network

More chargers and faster charging are improving Pennsylvania's standing for EV drivers.

Pennsylvania is moving up the EV-readiness ranks as its public charging network expands.Why it matters: High gas prices are making electric vehicles <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more attractive" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/high-gas-prices-revving-up-ev-interest" data-vars-content-id="55535113-7879-48f3-957a-a7cb799987d1" data-vars-headline="Pennsylvania powers up its electric vehicle network" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/high-gas-prices-revving-up-ev-interest" target="_self">more attractive</a> to drivers, though they remain a small share of vehicles on state roads.

New turnpike exit coming to Westmoreland County

The Route 981 interchange will fill a 16-mile gap between exits.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pennsylvania Turnpike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/27/pa-turnpike-eliminate-breezewood-detour" data-vars-content-id="f280431d-e858-4537-b1a1-2131c200e9f5" data-vars-headline="New turnpike exit coming to Westmoreland County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/27/pa-turnpike-eliminate-breezewood-detour" target="_self">Pennsylvania Turnpike</a> is getting a new exit and interchange in Westmoreland County, the Turnpike Commission announced last month.Why it matters: Townships like Mt. Pleasant, Unity and Derry in the county are growing, and adding a connection to the turnpike is critical to boost that area&#x27;s momentum, said PennDOT secretary Mike Carroll.

More Amtrak service from Pittsburgh starts in November

More daily rail service arrives in mid-November, with tickets expected to go on sale in October.

Pittsburgh <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="train riders will have more options " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" data-vars-content-id="1dfc00a8-c30d-41f8-a074-14aff896321a" data-vars-headline="More Amtrak service from Pittsburgh starts in November" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" target="_self">train riders will have more options </a>heading to Harrisburg and points beyond starting mid-November, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Monday. Why it matters: The Pennsylvanian Amtrak route is getting one additional daily round-trip service, the first time Pittsburgh has seen increased passenger rail service in decades.

Stop dreaming about high-speed rail

High-speed rail sounds great, but the numbers don't work in Pennsylvania.

👋 Ryan here. I have to burst your bubble: Pittsburgh isn’t getting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-speed rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/06/high-speed-rail-pittsburgh-possible" data-vars-content-id="fbdca05c-9dc7-42ce-b22b-9ab4960448e2" data-vars-headline="Stop dreaming about high-speed rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/06/high-speed-rail-pittsburgh-possible" target="_self">high-speed rail</a> in our lifetime.The big picture: We got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a lot of comments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbnv4RSlVZf/" data-vars-content-id="fbdca05c-9dc7-42ce-b22b-9ab4960448e2" data-vars-headline="Stop dreaming about high-speed rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbnv4RSlVZf/" target="_blank">a lot of comments</a> on our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="story about Pittsburgh getting more Amtrak service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" data-vars-content-id="fbdca05c-9dc7-42ce-b22b-9ab4960448e2" data-vars-headline="Stop dreaming about high-speed rail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" target="_self">story about Pittsburgh getting more Amtrak service</a>, and many were focused on how the route is too slow, saying it should be high-speed rail instead.

Pittsburgh's red-light cameras go live

Drivers will receive warnings for 60 days before $100 tickets begin.

Pittsburgh has installed its first automated red-light cameras at two city intersections.Why it matters: Pittsburgh has seen hundreds of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crashes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/17/pittsburgh-traffic-deaths-vision-zero" data-vars-content-id="f38e2dad-8847-43b3-a019-a372c94c6158" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh&#x27;s red-light cameras go live" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/17/pittsburgh-traffic-deaths-vision-zero" target="_self">crashes</a> linked to drivers running red lights over the years, killing several people, and automated cameras in other cities like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Philadelphia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/09/12/broad-street-speed-cameras-tickets-philly" data-vars-content-id="f38e2dad-8847-43b3-a019-a372c94c6158" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh&#x27;s red-light cameras go live" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/09/12/broad-street-speed-cameras-tickets-philly" target="_self">Philadelphia</a> have proven to save lives.

Amtrak to add second Pittsburgh-NYC train

A second Pennsylvanian trip aims to improve travel and reliability.

Pittsburgh is getting more passenger <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="train service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/06/high-speed-rail-pittsburgh-possible" data-vars-content-id="ce16ce0d-8341-4e80-b4d9-e6c5f6517749" data-vars-headline="Amtrak to add second Pittsburgh-NYC train" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/06/high-speed-rail-pittsburgh-possible" target="_self">train service</a> to New York City and points in between, Amtrak officials confirmed in a board meeting last week.Why it matters: Amtrak saw a record 34.5 million riders last year and wants to capitalize on that growth.

Downtown city employees get free transit

Officials want more employers to offer discounted transit benefits.

Pittsburgh officials are building incentives into their strategy to get more people to take public transit Downtown.Why it matters: Downtown still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hasn&#x27;t recovered all of its pre-pandemic crowds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/09/pittsburgh-small-business-downtown-revival" data-vars-content-id="4cff2794-f795-4ce0-9236-a002453f78d0" data-vars-headline="Downtown city employees get free transit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/09/pittsburgh-small-business-downtown-revival" target="_self">hasn&#x27;t recovered all of its pre-pandemic crowds</a>, especially weekday office workers.

Transit 🚗

More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18

PRT plans major bus route overhaul

Oakland gets bus-only lanes

Pennsylvania powers up its electric vehicle network

New turnpike exit coming to Westmoreland County