CEPM to Present “Energy, Economy and AI: Data Centers and Pa.’s Future”

As the demand for AI and digital services continues to grow, the proliferation of data centers has become a key issue for communities and policymakers alike. An upcoming webinar hosted by the W&J Center for Energy Policy and Management will explore why the demand for data centers is rapidly growing in the Commonwealth, where the energy to power these large electric users will come from, and what that will mean for Pennsylvanians.  

“Energy, Economy, and AI: Data Centers and Pennsylvania’s Future” will be held at 11 a.m. April 9 as part of the center’s Energy Lecture Series. The free, hour-long webinar will be presented by Esch McCombie, an attorney with McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, and Lisa Riggs of Team Pennsylvania. Click here to register.

Data centers are crucial in supporting the cloud-based digital economy, while the use and development of AI is rapidly increasing the need for more and bigger operations. These large facilities consume vast amounts of electricity, placing added pressure on the regional electric grid and policymakers who must quickly adapt data center regulations. Pennsylvania, home to a growing number of data centers, is seeing both the benefits and challenges of this technological expansion.

The presenters will discuss data center basics, how they are influencing the state’s energy infrastructure and sustainability efforts, and the impact on state and local economies.

Esch McCombie is co-chair of the McNees Real Estate Group, specializing in land use matters such as zoning, subdivision, and land development. He has extensive experience navigating permits and approvals at municipal, county, and state levels. In his role, he represents developers and property owners across commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential sectors.

Lisa Riggs serves as Team Pennsylvania’s Senior Managing Director of Economic Growth Strategy and Partnerships. Team Pennsylvania is a statewide entity co-chaired by the governor and a private sector leader that facilitates strategic investments of public and private funds to accelerate Pennsylvania’s economy.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask and engage with panelists during a live Q&A session. To register, visit wjenergy.org or click here.

The seminar is approved for Continuing Legal Education in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio. Contact the Washington County Bar Association at wcba@washcobar.org for information.