Timko, Nicholas debate data centers at GOP forum
CRANBERRY TWP — On Tuesday, Ethan Nicholas and Scott Timko, candidates for the vacant 12th District seat in the state House of Representatives, participated in a second candidate forum, hosted by the Butler County Republican Committee, at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center.
Many of the same questions from a forum on April 28 were again up for discussion, including the candidates’ approach to school choice, cutting taxes and making Butler County more business friendly through deregulation.
While Timko and Nicholas agree on many of their political positions, they mainly disagree on the issue of how to regulate the building of new data centers in the district and Pennsylvania in general.
The candidates were asked to elaborate on if they advocate for data centers or oppose them, and where is the best place to build them. They were asked to keep in mind the impact of the facilities on surrounding areas: high power consumption, increased utility costs, safety of water supply, taxpayer spending and noise pollution.
Nicholas said he is for building data centers because they are crucial for Pennsylvania’s future, but said there are things that need to be in place beforehand.
“If we get it wrong, it could hurt communities,” said Nicholas. “If we get it right, it could be one of the greatest economic things that happen in Western Pennsylvania in decades.”
Nicholas said whether people realize it or not, artificial intelligence is becoming ingrained in our day-to-day lives.
“I don't want a data center in my backyard,” said Nicholas. “I don't even know if I want one in District 12, for goodness sakes. We need to find responsible places to put them.”
Timko said there are both benefits and downsides to data center, but overall his opinion is still up in the air.
“I'm not there yet,” he said on supporting new data centers. “I'm not opposed to them. I'm just not there yet.”
Timko said while he understands the rise of artificial intelligence, “It certainly doesn't mean I'm all in on it.”
When asked where they would place a data center, Nicholas said he would be in favor of building them at a distance from residents in a way that is not harmful to the environment.
“How about we put them under some power lines in the middle of nowhere, where you can't do anything with the land in the first place?” he said.
Nicholas claimed some anti-data center sentiment is a result of Chinese propaganda.
“China is sending propaganda to leftist organizations to inform all of you how bad these things are because, guess what they want to do? They want to win the AI battle,” he said.
Timko said while he’s unsure of data centers should be close to residents’ houses, he said, “if they're going to be somewhere, they certainly should be in the United States.”
“Maybe a good place to put them is Allegheny County,” Timko quipped. “Maybe Philadelphia. That would sit better with me.”
