Across Pennsylvania, and especially here in Cumberland County, conversations about data centers are no longer abstract or far-off. They're showing up on township agendas, zoning maps, and sometimes—quietly—right in our own backyards. These decisions, often made in small rooms on weeknights, have enormous consequences for our water, our land, our energy grid, and the character of our communities. Most people don't realize that municipalities are the front line. That's where the first doors open—or close—to large data-center projects. And while these developments are marketed as progress or innovation, the reality is more complicated. Many experts are now warning about an "AI data center bubble," meaning we may be building far more of these massive facilities than the industry will actually need long-term. When a bubble forms, growth is driven by hype, not stability—and when it pops, communities are often left with stranded buildings, environmental burdens, and very few benefits. We're already seeing signs of that instability. AI-related stocks have been fluctuating wildly, rising quickly on speculation and then dropping just as fast. That kind of market volatility is a reminder that this rush to build isn't grounded in guaranteed, lasting demand. And yet, our townships—and our landscapes—are asked to carry the risks. At the same time, legislation relating to warehouses and data centers is moving through the Pennsylvania House, and the Senate could take zoning control away from residents and municipalities to regulate warehouse and data center development. Bills like HB 502 and SB 939 would shift decision-making to Harrisburg or even to a single appointed official, removing the public's voice from the process entirely. If local zoning is weakened just as the AI bubble wobbles, communities could lose both their say, their protection, and the landscape they cherish. That's why this episode matters

Today's conversation with Ginny Marcille-Kerslake of Food and Water Watch breaks down what data centers really are, what's at stake for Cumberland County, how quickly these proposals can move, and how residents can use their rights under the Sunshine Act and the Municipal Planning Code (documents) to stay informed and take action. It's a lot to take in, but knowledge is power—and being aware of what's happening at your local meetings and in the state legislature is the first step in protecting our land, our water, and our future.

Ginny Marcille - Kerslake email gmarcillekerslake@fwwatch.org

Cradle of Conservation: An Environmental History of Pennsylvania

Protect Cumberland County, PA

#DataCenters, #AIDataCenters, #CumberlandCountyPA, #PennsylvaniaNews, #PAZoning, #LocalGovernment, #TownshipMeetings, #CommunityRights, #EnvironmentalProtection, #WaterResources, #FoodAndWaterWatch, #SunshineAct, #MunicipalPlanningCode, #TheWanderingPen

Names of the men

It's been fifty years since the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was lost in Lake Superior during a snow squall. Gordon Lightfoot's song "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" made the ship infamous. Lightfoot wrote the song because he felt the boat and its crew were not being honored the way they should have been.

My guest on this episode is Executive Director Bruce Lynn of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society & Museum. The Historical Society & Museum is located at Whitefish Point, approximately seventeen miles from where the "Fitz" went down. Bruce shares other stories, too, about ships that have been lost on the Great Lakes, but the focus is on the Edmund Fitzgerald and those lost. What is most important here is - it's more than just a song - more than just a shipwreck story. Twenty-nine lives that were lost on November 9, 1975, for a routine trip across Lake Superior never thought they said "good-bye" to the ones they loved for the last time. Please tune in and learn about the story and the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Please share and follow The Wandering Pen Podcast so you don't miss a story.

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum FaceBook Page

For the live memorial service either click on the link website link or the FB link for access to watch it live online. The service begins at 7 p.m. (est) on November 10.

The following link will take you to a video shared by the Upper Pennicila, Michigan Supply Company. It's a compelling short that is set to Lightfoots song. In it you will see footage of the "Fitz" being loaded with taconite pellets (iron ore), sailing Lake Superior and the crew on the ship. Watching the video and listening to the song is powerful.

https://upsupply.co/journal/the-wreck-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald

From the Appalachian Trail to the African savanna, this episode explores what it means to live between two wild worlds. Each year, military veteran, Brian N. Johnson travels to Kenya to lead safaris, capture wildlife through his lens, and share the powerful rhythm of life where lions hunt, zebras run, and elephants roam free.

Brian is currently developing his own tour guide busines, Alpine and Savanna Adventures, LLC, which he plans to kickoff in 2026. His mission is to invites others to experience the wonder of the wild — and to see how adventure, purpose, and conservation connect across continents.