Michael Sauers
June 16, 2025
The headline read, Talen, Amazon ink $18B deal. I prefer agreement or understanding but in the current Trump world “deal” suffices. The deal is a 17 year arrangement where Talen Energy will supply power to Amazon’s facilities across the state. Translate that to data centers and cloud computing. Any thoughts on these?
According to Talen CEO, Mark “Mac” McFarlend, “Everyone benefits”. Pennsylvania benefits from economic development. Pennsylvania communities benefit in high paying jobs. PPL benefits by lowering their costs. And the industry benefits as the intersection of data centers and power is validated.” ALL of this is questionable and debatable. “Everyone” is dubious. “Benefits” are far from inclusive.
Amazon recently agreed to invest 20 billion dollars in data centers devoted to artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Talen has agreed to provide 1,920 megawatts of highly radiocative waste producing nuclear power to Amazon facilities across the state. That is 77% of the nuclear power Talen produces at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station located in Salem Township just outside Berwick, PA. The nuclear waste is stored on site because NO ONE WANTS IT! This waste is dangerous for tens, hundreds and even thousands of years depending upon the specific radioactive isotopes present. The nuclear power industry has successfully foisted the cost of storing (temporarily and permanently) nuclear waste to taxpayers/ratepayers in the BILLIONS of dollars (corporate welfare). This is ongoing. As you might suspect, the “deal” between Amazon/Talon/State of Pennsylvania will include millions of dollars in corporate welfare. We have not been told the amount YET!
Now, Governor Shapiro, some legislators and Talen think that supplementing very expensive nuclear power with natural gas is a good idea. Obviously they haven’t been keeping up with the Compendium of Scientific, Medical and Medea Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking and Associated Gas and Oil Infrastructure. First published in July of 2014, it is now in its 9th edition. It is peer reviewed studies, reports and investigations that provide evidence of the dangers of fracking. Read it.
There are hundreds of thousands of abandoned natural gas wells that are emitting climate killing methane gas. From beginning to end fracking is dirty, polluting and expensive. To exist in PA, fracking received special treatment from local, state and federal laws and regulations. In PA they pay no severance tax. It requires huge amounts of pure PA water which is immediately fouled with secret, proprietary chemicals. Fracking produces waste water that contains radioactive elements. This waste water is injected into deep wells (for future generations), spread on roads for dust/winter road treatment or minimally treated and returned to PA surface waters. Fracking involves laying thousands of miles of pipelines often through the use of eminent domain. Fracking disturbs habitat/wildlife, creates health problems, causes large truck traffic problems, creates community dissent, etc., etc. It is the fossil fuel industry’s version of the “Keystone Cops.” All of this is known and conveniently ignored.
Please take note that this “deal” will not be powered by renewable, environmentally friendly fuels. Why? The little known PJM Interconnection, the largest regional transmission organization in the United States has been unexplainably overwhelmed by a surge in solar, wind and battery storage projects. They have been severely criticized for delaying renewable energy projects. Meanwhile, efforts have been made to move certain projects, mostly natural gas, to the front of the line. Fast-tracking these projects (RRI Projects) shows a huge preference for fossil fuels (climate change) compared to renewable projects that are in line waiting.
Finally, understand that while we (consumers, ratepayers, taxpayers) wait for elected representatives to advocate for us, other stakeholders are lobbying and litigating for rule changes and special treatment.