Welcome back, it's Tuesday.

• On this day in 1962, President John F. Kennedy visited Pittsburgh and other Southwestern Pennsylvania cities, his only visit to the area while in the White House.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny, high near 82.

🎧 Sounds like: "Northern Sky," by Nick Drake.

🕯️ Situational awareness: From Aliquippa to NFL glory, Hall of Famer "Iron Mike" Ditka died Friday at 86.

Today’s newsletter is 999 words — a 4-minute read.

Pennsylvania'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 PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center analysis of federal data.

Why it matters: Pennsylvania's data center boom is expected to drive a new wave of natural gas development, 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.

Zoom in: Those projections could be conservative if major proposals beyond Homer City move forward. Many of Western Pennsylvania's largest proposed data centers plan to run on natural gas, though many lack firm opening dates or aren't expected to come online until after 2030.

• Homer City's planned 4.5-gigawatt gas plant, expected to be running by 2027, would power its data center campus and send surplus power to the grid, while a 2-gigawatt Shippingport campus plans to generate its own gas power on-site.
• An Elizabeth Township proposal calls for up to 28 data center buildings and a 1-gigawatt gas plant, with no projected opening year yet.
• In Fayette County, a proposed 3.75-gigawatt gas plant would supply the grid and potential data center and industrial customers. It would come online in targeted phases ending in 2032.
• The 274-acre Misty Hollow data center campus in Butler County would include a 300-megawatt natural gas plant on site, with plans to double that capacity. If it moves forward, it could be operational as early as 2029.

Between the lines: The natural gas needed to power data centers and other energy-intensive facilities is already prompting more drilling in Pennsylvania — the number of new wells jumped roughly 45% from 2024 to 2025, reaching its highest level since 2022 at more than 400, per state Department of Environmental Protection data.

Zoom out: U.S. gas-fired power capacity that's planned or in development grew 50% in the first half of 2026, per Global Energy Monitor, as proposals for new power plants pile up. Still, many remain speculative.

• Nationally, planned gas projects across 32 states and Washington, D.C., would add 60.4 gigawatts of capacity by 2030 — up 44% from projections in December 2025, per the PennEnvironment report.

The bottom line: Nearly 100 data center projects are proposed across Pennsylvania, but not all will be built.

• With new state requirements, greater local control and growing opposition, projects face mounting hurdles.

Go deeper

Leaf-peepers, get ready: Fall colors are creeping into Pittsburgh.

The intrigue: Some recent cold nights have spurred foliage to peak in the coldest parts of the state, and vibrant fall colors are getting closer to the Pittsburgh area, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Zoom in: Peak colors have arrived in the higher elevations of Laurel Highlands.

• Allegheny County foliage is just starting, so we might have to wait a bit longer here.
• Pro tip: Can't wait? Head to Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County.

Zoom out: Explore Fall's map shows the rest of the country getting fall colors starting in mid-October.

By the numbers: On Oct. 16, the brightest color is projected to be concentrated across the northern Rockies, Upper Midwest and northern New England.

• By Oct. 30, a broad band from the central Rockies to the East Coast should be at or near peak.

What's next: The final day of Pennsylvania's peak foliage is estimated on Oct. 21, per Explore Fall.

• The next Pennsylvania foliage report comes out Thursday.

Go peep-er

🦾 North Side-based Gecko Robotics is partnering with Anduril Industries as part of the shipbuilder's $3.7 billion expansion to build new submarines. Gecko's technology will be deployed at Anduril's new facility in California. (Press release)

💡 IBEW workers at Duquesne Light Company voted Sunday to ratify a new five-year contract with the utility, ending an 11-day strike. (WESA)

🗳️ Former President Barack Obama endorsed Gov. Josh Shapiro's reelection bid in a video Friday. President Trump endorsed Shapiro's Republican opponent, Stacy Garrity, earlier this year.

Pittsburgh restaurateur Richard DeShantz was charged last week with physical assault. He did not reply to a request for comment, but a spokesperson said he is stepping away from his restaurant group during legal proceedings.

• The group operates more than a dozen locations, including Poulet Bleu, Pre Amp Coffee Studio, Coop De Ville, Meat & Potatoes and Sally Ann's. (WTAE / TribLive)

Sometimes you just want a hot slice, a pop and a nice place to sit. A new pizza shop at the Lawrenceville-Bloomfield border has what you need.

The intrigue: Penn Ave Pizza and Steaks opened earlier this year and has already attracted scores of fans. It may warrant an inclusion in our best pizza bracket.

Dig in: Slices are $4 and whole pies are $20.

• It's New York style, and the pizza is satisfyingly thin, with probably the best black-charred crust in the city.

The vibe: Affectionately known as PAPS, it has a retro vibe with booths, barstools and fountain drinks. It was packed on a recent Saturday afternoon.

If you go: 4065 Penn Ave., Lawrenceville

• Wednesday-Saturday 11am-9pm, Sunday noon-8pm

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Editor's note: A previous version of this newsletter listed an incorrect date for the "Multi-Modal Race," which took place Oct. 9.

😍 Chrissy can't wait to chase those red maples.

👋 Ryan is off this week, exploring the historic sites and birds of Tidewater Virginia.

Thanks to Chloe Gonzales for editing this newsletter.