Community activists in Philadelphia are calling for a moratorium on new data centers, arguing that the rapid growth of AI infrastructure could bring environmental, energy, and public health impacts to neighborhoods already shaped by decades of industrial activity. The campaign reflects a broader debate unfolding across the United States as cities weigh the economic benefits promised by data center developers against concerns about pollution, resource consumption, and quality of life.
A recent Gallup poll found that a majority of Americans oppose the construction of data centers in their local communities. Environmental impacts and energy demands remain among the most commonly cited concerns.
Philadelphia Residents Draw On Industrial Legacy
Among the leading voices in the campaign is Shawmar Pitts, managing co-director of environmental justice organization Philly Thrive. Pitts grew up in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood near what was once the East Coast’s largest oil refinery.
The refinery, operated by Philadelphia Energy Solutions, closed following a major explosion in 2019. Pitts said his involvement in environmental activism began after learning about health issues linked to living near industrial facilities while attending a community outreach event organized by Philly Thrive in 2018.
Today, Pitts is helping organize opposition to potential data center development in Philadelphia. While no formal proposals have been submitted, city officials have identified two possible locations for future projects, including one in Grays Ferry and another in Northeast Philadelphia.
Residents Raise Health And Pollution Concerns
At a rally outside Philadelphia City Hall on Monday, community members expressed concerns about pollution, noise, energy consumption, and potential health impacts.
Philly Thrive board president Sonya Sanders told attendees that she opposes data center construction in the city, citing concerns about environmental effects and skepticism regarding job creation claims.
Sanders also spoke about the death of her husband, a longtime Grays Ferry resident who died from a rare form of bone cancer in 2020. She said she believes emissions from the former refinery contributed to his illness.
Growing Energy Demand Fuels Debate
Although data centers produce fewer direct emissions than oil refineries, concerns have intensified as AI-related energy demand continues to rise.
According to a recent forecast from BloombergNEF, U.S. data centers could consume more natural gas by 2035 than Germany and Japan combined. The research projects that data centers will require 18 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day by the middle of the next decade.
Natural gas burns more cleanly than oil, but environmental groups note that it still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The International Energy Agency estimates that burning one cubic foot of natural gas releases the equivalent of about 60 grams of carbon dioxide when extraction, processing, and distribution are included.
Additional demand from data centers could generate approximately one million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each day, equal to roughly 12% of current U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Calls For Greater Scrutiny
Speaking at the rally, Clean Air Council attorney Annie Fox said many proposed data centers in Pennsylvania rely on large numbers of diesel generators for backup power. She argued that increasing electricity demand and extreme weather events could lead to more frequent use of those systems.
Fox said greater reliance on fossil fuel-powered infrastructure could contribute to climate-related challenges, including more frequent and severe heatwaves.
Residents attending the rally also raised concerns about water use, electricity consumption, and data privacy. Philadelphia resident Donna Greenberg said she worries that data centers could place additional strain on local resources while expanding access to personal information.
Moratoriums Gain Support Across The U.S.
Philadelphia’s campaign follows similar actions in other parts of the country. New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed an executive order temporarily preventing approval of new large-scale data center projects while state officials assess their impacts.
Cities including Denver, Indianapolis, Asheville, Charlotte, and Reno have also adopted temporary moratoriums to allow local governments time to study the effects of data center development before approving new projects.
More than 100 people attended Monday’s “No Data Centers in Philly” rally. Organizers said the event marked the beginning of a broader effort to persuade city officials to halt future data center development until additional reviews are conducted.
Featured image credits: Magnific.com
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