I was disappointed to read the article “Springdale Planning Commission OKs data center project; proposal moves to council” (Nov. 17, TribLive). We in Southwestern Pennsylvania understand the consequences of companies depleting our resources, offering false promises of jobs and tax revenue and leaving us with increased pollution that harms our children, air and water. We are still suffering the consequences of past resource extraction and the costs of fixing the damage it caused. Even though our state Constitution ensures our right to clean air and water, it remains elusive to us.
The parties involved in the data center and the accompanying Homer City fracking plant offer no guarantee they will mitigate the deletion of our valuable and universally scarce water resource, address the inevitable rise in electrical costs, manage pollution from fracking or generate more revenue than the costs of the exemptions. Their current consideration of fracking as an energy source is hard to understand. We see the destruction caused by burning fossil fuels every day, yet it continues.
Let’s support our neighbors in their fight against destructive development. Contact the Department of Environmental Protection, Gov. Josh Shapiro and your state legislators. Let them know we want sustainable growth that safeguards our resources, our children’s health and the health of our planet.
Gloria Gralewski
Manor