AGP Executive Report

Data Center Politics: A Wells Fargo tracker says local moratoriums on data center builds have jumped to 374 nationwide, driven by worries over electricity, grid capacity, water use, and community disruption—making data centers a live midterm issue. Local Planning Fight: In Lower Towamensing Township, a proposed data center near Blue Shamrock Golf Course and DTA Alliance is facing pushback over water, noise, and property values as developers seek zoning changes. Infrastructure & Utilities: Pennsylvania American Water will accelerate a $5M Scranton water main replacement after repeated breaks, while regulators continue weighing how utility profits and upgrades affect affordability. Energy & Industry Costs: A separate report on Maryland highlights how rising power bills are blamed on utility costs and data center demand, with critics pointing to decarbonization-driven power import dependence. Transportation Safety: PennDOT is inviting Pennsylvania students to tackle bridge-strike prevention in its Innovations Challenge, targeting crashes involving tall vehicles. Food Safety: Pennsylvania restaurant inspection updates show routine compliance checks and minor fixes needed at several food facilities.

Data Center Affordability & Grid Oversight: Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission approved steps to scrutinize how utility profits and data center growth affect electricity affordability, setting up a ratemaking working group focused on transparency and rate-setting practices. Local Opposition to AI Buildout: A Wells Fargo tracker says U.S. local data-center moratoriums jumped to 374, driven by concerns over power costs, grid capacity, water use, and community impacts—turning the issue into a midterm political flashpoint. Utility/Power Cost Debate Beyond Pa.: Maryland’s bills rose sharply over five years, with policymakers blaming both utility behavior and data-center demand while critics cite decarbonization-driven power constraints. Healthcare Policy Fight: AG Kwame Raoul joined a coalition urging a federal appeals court to keep a block on Trump-era Affordable Care Act enrollment rules, arguing the change would raise costs and leave more people uninsured. Connected Vehicle Claims Tech: Agero (Urgently) partnered with MOTER Technologies to use connected-vehicle data for faster roadside dispatch and claims triage. Corporate/Legal & Risk: Federal Circuit upheld a ruling clearing Globus Medical of spinal surgery patent infringement. Workplace/Local Economy: McClatchy layoffs drew union backlash over shrinking local journalism coverage. AI Infrastructure Deal: Axe Compute announced a Nasdaq inducement stock option grant tied to hiring. Food/Restaurant Opening: Oak Steakhouse is set to open in Athens with a locally sourced, sustainability-focused menu.

Commercial Real Estate Finance: The CRE Finance Council named Paul T. Vanderslice as its new President and CEO, tapping decades of CMBS experience to lead advocacy, market intelligence, education, and standards for the commercial and multifamily lending industry. Energy & Grid Pressure: Pennsylvania’s data center boom is back in the spotlight, with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission set to address rising power demand and grid reliability concerns as AI-driven load grows. Power Costs & Policy Fight: Maryland ratepayers are seeing sharp electricity bill increases, and the debate is turning into a blame game between utility “profiteering” claims and state decarbonization mandates that critics say are forcing more imports. Local Economic Development: Gov. Josh Shapiro launched a nearly $100M revitalization push for Chester, pairing public and private investment with road/pedestrian upgrades and violence-prevention support. Securities & Consumer Finance: Planet Fitness investors face a securities class action deadline reminder, while other corporate finance items continue to draw attention.

Consumer Protection & Ticketing: Pennsylvania prosecutors are joining a lawsuit against Vivid Seats, alleging “deceptive pricing” tactics like drip pricing, fee misrepresentation, hidden total costs, and urgency countdowns that can push final prices up to 80% over the initial rate. Energy & Data Centers: The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will examine grid reliability and how customer costs should be allocated as data centers drive rapid load growth, with possible rule updates due for consideration at an Oct. 1 meeting. Power Markets: Shell agreed to buy Constellation’s Hunlock Creek Generating stake (169 MW in Pennsylvania) and also sell a Rhode Island power complex, moves tied to PJM market demand from data centers. Local Control Politics: Rep. Rob Bresnahan is pushing data center limits and local control, even as his past messaging has been pro-industry and his investments include data-center-related firms. Utilities & Affordability Context: (Related regional angle) Maryland’s electricity bills have surged 50.9% over five years, with leaders blaming utility profiteering and data center demand while critics cite decarbonization mandates. Logistics & Freight: The PA Turnpike is marking National Truck Driver Appreciation Week with roadside events across multiple service plazas. Retail Gaming: Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ruling could lead to skill game machine seizures starting Oct. 14, threatening revenue for bars and convenience stores that rely on the machines.

Data Centers & Energy: Aligned Data Centers broke ground on a 2 GW “Project Phoenix” campus in Shippingport, pitching it as a legacy reuse of a dormant industrial site and citing Pennsylvania’s GRID standards and workforce/economic benefits. Local Development: Boyle Construction is planning a next-gen data center in Bethlehem’s Lehigh Valley, saying it’s designed to be smaller and more efficient and aligned with GRID. Grid Stress & Weather Tech: Climavision opened its private radar network and forecasting platform to AI data centers as PJM pushes requirements that large users secure power by June 2027. Infrastructure Resilience: A report highlights Pennsylvania’s aging levees—protecting 158,000 people and $26.2B in property—while warning that scarce funding and harsher weather raise flood-risk. Agriculture Enforcement: A Shippensburg-area livestock operation is tied to a New York State Police investigation after troopers intercepted horses being transported through New York to Canada for slaughter. Ag Education: Clearfield FFA held its 64th awards banquet, spotlighting local sponsors and student winners. Community Commemoration: The Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville will mark 25 years since 9/11 with a day of ceremonies, including readings at the Wall of Names.

Politics & Industry: President Trump headlined the GOP’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, urging voters to “pretend” he’s on the ballot and warning oil prices may stay high until after November. Steel Valley Watch: Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman made a surprise prerecorded video appearance at the event, backing GOP Sen. Dave McCormick and pledging to reject “extremes and socialism” while working with Trump to defend steel jobs. Trade & Ag Costs: Fresno County farmers pushed for tariff-free trade terms during the USMCA review, warning new barriers could squeeze growers and raise produce prices. Energy & Permitting: A federal appeals court reversed a key New Jersey water permit tied to Williams’ NESE natural gas pipeline project, sending it back for further review. Power Demand: NextEra secured a DOE loan up to $1.9B to restart Iowa’s Duane Arnold nuclear plant, tied to long-term power demand from AI and data centers. Retail Earnings: Academy Sports + Outdoors reported higher Q2 sales and earnings, citing store growth and e-commerce momentum. Local Infrastructure: Wilkes-Barre scheduled milling and paving on multiple streets as part of its 2026 road improvement work.

AI & Data Centers: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned the U.S. must “win the AI race” or face “no day after tomorrow” if China leads, as Pennsylvania and other states tighten data-center rules amid backlash over power, water, and local impacts. Energy & Grid Demand: The pushback is showing up in policy fast, with Pennsylvania’s permit requirements tied to energy affordability, environmental protections, workforce plans, and community approval. Federal Facility Consolidation: The U.S. Forest Service plans to close its York County office, relocating staff but cutting underused facilities costs nationwide. Ag & Farm Costs: PA Farm Link launched a free Long Term Care Medicaid Asset Risk Calculator to help Pennsylvania farm families understand spenddown and asset exposure under LTC Medicaid rules. Manufacturing Pipeline: A new report tracks steady growth in industrial manufacturing capital projects, with Pennsylvania among the top states for planned activity. EV Charging Expansion: EVgo and Regency Centers are expanding fast charging at shopping centers, including locations in Pennsylvania. Local Business & Retail: A roundup highlights dozens of new fall restaurant openings in the Philadelphia area, signaling continued consumer-facing investment. Auto Repair Industry: VIVE Collision expanded in the Northeast with an acquisition of Jasmin Auto Body, adding more locations across the region. Health & Treatment Access: Alpine Psychiatry announced in-person TMS treatment options via a Pennsylvania partner location for adults with treatment-resistant depression.

Elections & Voting Access: Luzerne County Council’s Democratic majority voted to ask the county Election Board to consider adding more mail ballot drop boxes for the Nov. 3 general election, with two Republicans voting no. Immigration & Construction: ICE arrested at least 49 immigrant construction workers in Danville-area operations tied to the Geisinger Medical Center patient tower build, according to advocates; workers remain detained. Manufacturing & Labor: Jerith Manufacturing will close its Northeast Philly aluminum fence plant by next spring after rent is set to nearly triple, affecting 61 workers (with some offered NJ roles). Energy & Power Markets: Constellation Energy’s biggest AI clean-power deal with Meta won’t start paying until June 2027, underscoring the lag between AI demand headlines and utility revenue. Environment & Industry Regulation: Pennsylvania DEP will hold a public hearing on Stockertown cement maker Buzzi Unicem’s plan for future emissions controls under its RACT proposal. Logistics & Corporate Moves: Venezia Transport plans to consolidate its family logistics businesses under Venezia Hauling Inc. as “Venezia Transport Group” starting Jan. 1, 2027. Food & Agriculture: Pa. Agriculture Dept. is investigating animal cruelty and food-safety allegations at Lancaster County’s Shade Brae Farms, an independent supplier to Sauder’s Eggs. Maritime Compliance: MSC Shipmanagement and a Hong Kong shipowner pleaded guilty in a MARPOL case in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and were fined $1.75M for illegal oily waste discharges.

Energy & Power Policy: A new guest column argues Maryland’s rising electricity bills reflect the “progressives’” push to retire reliable power and over-penetrate wind/solar, driving higher costs. Data Centers & Water: A report explores whether cloud seeding could become a PR fix for AI data-center backlash, despite long-running doubts about effectiveness and legal/ethical concerns. Local Utilities & Water Supply: Pennsylvania American Water issued a mandatory conservation notice for about 23,000 customers in parts of Lancaster and Chester counties, asking for 10–15% usage cuts as drought conditions tighten. Trade Policy: An analysis lays out what U.S. trade policy could look like after Trump, with tariffs likely to remain central even if “full Trump-style” continuity is less likely. Carbon Tech Deal: Birchtech reached an agreement in principle to acquire a specialty activated carbon company, adding North Dakota and Pennsylvania facilities and moving toward commercial-scale carbon rejuvenation. Fayette County Power Project: A Fayette County story shows residents reacting to “Project South Mon,” dubbed the “Trump Power Plant,” as property owners weigh deadlines and compensation. Ag Tech: Butler County dairy farmers highlight a state Agriculture Innovation Grant that helped fund a robotic milker. Water Infrastructure: Work begins Tuesday on removing the Spring Garden Dam in Bucks County to restore creek flow and improve fish passage. Healthcare Business: Quel Health launched as a national telehealth platform built around GLP-1 receptor agonists for addiction, partnering with Caron Treatment Centers.

Energy & Industry Policy: Pennsylvania’s data-center debate keeps heating up as critics argue projects could worsen affordability while supporters point to tax revenue and jobs; one op-ed ties Lackawanna County’s 33% property tax jump to budget pressure and warns bans could push costs onto residents. Consumer Protection: Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is seeking contempt penalties and restitution over alleged predatory towing by three North Philadelphia operators, saying they violated a 2022 consent order after complaints about improper tows and excessive fees. Healthcare & Regulation: The FDA opened a botanical drug docket, seeking input on speeding development of plant-based medicines as Appalachia’s wild ginseng season ramps up under federal trade controls. Agriculture & Wildlife: DCNR is expanding antlerless deer hunting opportunities via the Deer Management Assistance Program, offering nearly 25,000 permits across state forests and parks. Local Economy & Growth: Simple Moving Solutions expanded its Pennsylvania service coverage from Chadds Ford into more Chester and Delaware County communities. Labor & Community: Labor Day coverage highlights union muscle in Philadelphia and the broader push to celebrate skilled workers. Business/Legal: Securities-fraud class-action notices continue, including Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) investor alerts.

Power & Grid Investment: Hyosung is pushing into the U.S. AI/data-center power market with a 22.9kV solid state transformer, aiming to strengthen American grid stability as demand spikes. Manufacturing Expansion: Brunk Industries plans a $31.7M expansion at RIDC Armstrong Innovation Park in Freeport, adding a new tool-and-die manufacturing facility and 64 jobs, backed by state financing and workforce training support. Electricity Demand Forecast: PPL says electricity use in its territory is set to surge, with the Pennsylvania PUC outlook projecting rapid growth tied to industrial loads, especially new data centers. Data Center Backlash: Across the country, voters and politicians are increasingly pushing back on data centers, with resistance shaping midterm politics and local permitting. Food Safety (York): York County restaurant inspections show mostly pass results, with corrections noted for sanitation, handwashing access, and food-contact cleanliness. Housing for Veterans: A Scranton-area veteran, Jody Tighe, was selected for a Wilkes-Barre “Welcome Home” program home through United NEPA Alliance, supported by a donated lot and ongoing fundraising.

Food & Beverage Dealmaking: Keurig Dr Pepper will sell its Chobani equity stake back to Chobani for $800M plus an Allentown manufacturing facility/warehouse for $125M, totaling $925M, as KDP reshapes its portfolio ahead of a planned split into two public companies in early 2027. Energy & Power Infrastructure: A proposed Old Forge pumped-storage hydro project in Lackawanna/Luzerne counties is drawing local pushback over environmental and health impacts, with residents asking for clearer permitting and safeguards. Clean Energy Tech: PNNL, Fervo Energy and NVIDIA are building an AI “digital twin” to model enhanced geothermal reservoirs in real time, aiming to cut weeks of analysis and improve underground power performance. Workforce & Small Business Capital: SBA and the U.S. Energy Department launched an SBIC-E initiative to spur private investment in energy technologies, targeting small businesses across fossil, nuclear and renewables. Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Marysville logged just one scam report in July, while Pennsylvania’s biggest hotspots remain Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Local Services: Keystone Shed Repair LLC publicly launched a shed-only repair service in Southeast Pennsylvania, focusing on roof, siding, doors/windows and carpentry.

Data Center Backlash & Politics: Wall Street and election strategists say AI data centers are becoming a major state and local campaign issue, with opposition shaping November races and adding policy risk to the AI buildout. Pennsylvania Housing & Wages: As Gov. Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacy Garrity sharpen their affordability pitch, voters keep tying the economy to daily costs like housing and groceries. Manufacturing Workforce: Northampton Community College opened a Precision Machining and Tool Design Center, backed by a Pennsylvania RACP grant, and launched new machining credentials aimed at faster job placement. Food Safety Inspections: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture restaurant checks flagged issues like improper food storage and pest activity in multiple Central Pennsylvania locations. Agriculture & Invasive Pests: Spotted lanternflies are spreading across the region, threatening trees and crops like grapes and hops. Utilities & Economic Development: PPL Electric Utilities earned national recognition for economic development, citing major capital investment and job creation across manufacturing, agriculture, and life sciences. Cybersecurity: Multiple data-breach investigations are underway, including HumanEdge, Gale Credit Union, and YouLend, with potential exposure of sensitive personal and financial data.

Manufacturing & Jobs: Chobani is moving full steam into Pennsylvania with a $1.2B dairy manufacturing expansion in Upper Macungie Township, targeting 900 new jobs over five years and a major boost in demand for in-state milk. Energy & Grid Planning: A DOE-backed multi-state study puts Pennsylvania in the spotlight for EV charging grid upgrades, estimating distribution investment needs up to $2.3B without managed charging, with proactive planning potentially cutting that by more than half. AI, Data Centers & Local Politics: The backlash against data-center growth and AI power demand keeps spilling into policy fights, while Pennsylvania lawmakers weigh AI-related education legislation and utilities warn about rising cybersecurity threats tied to the buildout. Surveillance Tech: Flock cameras remain a hot campaign issue as more communities reject or suspend automated license plate reader programs, feeding broader concerns about mass surveillance. Regulatory & Corporate Watch: The SEC has filed an enforcement action in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to compel Institutional Shareholder Services to comply with a July subpoena tied to proxy-adviser oversight. Food & Safety: Hazmat incidents and recalls continue to hit the region, including an I-83 gas leak shutdown in York County and ongoing consumer product contamination alerts.

Housing & Construction: Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s new Housing Production Commission held its first meeting, aiming to speed up Pennsylvania homebuilding and tackle barriers like financing for repairs and acquisition of properties. Energy & Power Demand: A new report warns data centers could drive nearly a 19% annual jump in electric demand in Pennsylvania, raising costs and straining infrastructure—just as job growth shows early signs of cooling. Food Safety & Local Business: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture restaurant inspections flagged issues including mold in an ice machine and improper food storage/cleaning, while other spots passed. Stormwater & Infrastructure: Clearfield Borough moved to expedite Reighard Street stormwater repairs after FEMA funding, with permits under DEP review and bids planned ahead of a Sept. 17 council vote. Economic Development: PECO earned national recognition for attracting major commercial projects, citing 27 new investments in 2025 tied to thousands of jobs. Agriculture: Pennsylvania sisters Michelle and Rose Morian won a national Young Jersey Breeder Award, highlighting next-gen dairy leadership in the state. Policy Watch: Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing bills to regulate kratom sales after rising poison control calls and deaths linked to unregulated products.

Data Centers & Power Demand: Pennsylvania lawmakers and local officials are pushing back on the fast-track data center boom, citing utility-rate pressure, water use, noise/light impacts, and transparency gaps—while reporting shows nearly half of “fast track” municipalities signed NDAs, limiting public access. AI in Schools: State Rep. Pete Schweyer and colleagues are drafting AI guardrails for K-12, including privacy protections, vendor standards, district AI policies, and limits on using AI for mental/behavioral health services. Energy & Environment: Shell Chemicals Appalachia agreed to a $15M settlement with Pennsylvania DEP over air pollution violations at its Beaver County ethane cracker plant, including a community remediation fund. Industry Legal Watch: Energy Transfer is challenging Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law as unconstitutional in a bid to weaken potential criminal exposure tied to a jet fuel spill investigation. Manufacturing Workforce: WashU is joining the State Department’s Foundry School effort to boost U.S. manufacturing capacity, with lectures covering factory design, supply chains, and assembly-line engineering. Corporate Moves: Keurig Dr Pepper is selling its Chobani stake and an Allentown plant for about $925M total, with Chobani taking over production and jobs during the transition.