Two data centers Amazon plans on building in Pennsylvania, including one in Falls Township, should generate thousands of jobs over the next ten years and drive significant economic activity, according to state officials, write Stephen Caruso and Kate Huangpu for Spotlight PA.

However, many key details about the projects remain unknown for now, including the full impact of the data centers on electricity supply and prices and the amount of tax revenue Pennsylvania will forfeit to Amazon.

The state has approved a sales tax exemption for the e-commerce giant on key equipment, something that could cost the commonwealth millions of dollars in tax revenue that support essential services such as education and healthcare.

Additionally, data centers require vast amounts of electricity and water to cool their servers. The facility slated for construction at an industrial park on the site of the former steel mill in Falls Township will draw all of its power from the local electrical grid.

According to Rob Bair, president of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, this should cause no disruptions initially, but if the data center expands, “they’re going to need a substantial amount more.”

Read more about Amazon’s plans in Falls Township and the unanswered questions surrounding these data centers in Spotlight PA.

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