Plus, climate conspiracies and violence...

From the Editor’s Desk

It’s been a hot month in Pennsylvania, and for once, it’s not the weather. It’s the heat from data center opponents aimed at the developer of a massive complex to power AI in the Philadelphia suburbs — and at the administration of Governor Josh Shapiro.

Our reporting earlier revealed that developer Brian O’Neill and Shapiro’s office were in extensive behind-the-scenes talks [[link removed]] about pushing through the projects, and that O’Neill asked a federal official about how to loosen air quality limits [[link removed]] for the gas power plants proposed to power the data center.

After DeSmog published this pair of stories reported by Edward Donnelly, the news was quickly shared and quoted: from veteran journalists to prominent activists and from Pennsylvania residents testifying at commission meetings to a state senator proposing a data center moratorium. “Is this what being a ‘good neighbor’ is all about?” asked state Senator Katie Muth, as she linked [[link removed]] to Edward’s reporting. One of the projects has been voted down already.

The state’s long-growing backlash against data centers has been so complete that even Governor Shapiro, whose office has previously touted his “leadership on AI” as an economic development strategy, has performed a 180. He referred to O’Neill [[link removed]] as a “bully” after the developer (unsuccessfully) sued to delay a consequential vote. Then, the week after our investigations dropped, Governor Shapiro signed an executive order putting tighter restrictions on data centers and reversing his once-welcoming AI messaging. “I’ve heard you loud and clear,” Shapiro said in his announcement [[link removed]].

And we’ve heard you, our community of readers, loud and clear: You value this kind of in-depth journalism, because we build relationships with real people, uncover hidden records, and reveal truths that hold the powerful accountable.

You can’t get this kind of carefully vetted, original reporting from an AI chatbot. But you can get it from the dedicated, knowledgeable team at DeSmog. And you can support more of it by sharing our stories with your friends and by pitching in with a recurring donation of $5 or more a month (or whatever you can). Will you help power more journalism like this? [[link removed]]

YES, I WILL [[link removed]]

The stakes for climate accountability continue to rise. As Mary Stuart writes this week, a secret Canadian intelligence report warned [[link removed]] about the potential violence that could be provoked from spreading climate conspiracies. Yet a Conservative Member of Parliament Cheryl Gallant, who was alluded to in the intelligence report, has continued to share fringe climate denial theories for years. In addition to being misleading, Gallant’s claims had the potential to radicalize Canadians and push them toward violence, according to the 2022 Canadian intelligence assessment.

And she has continued to spread misinformation, even as climate-fueled wildfires have threatened communities and sent toxic smoke across North America this summer. Want to read the report yourself? Dive into the full story. [[link removed]]

Wondering what U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has to do with the financial interests of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, the top political party pushing climate denial in Great Britain? We were too. (Hint: The answer is somehow always crypto.)

Get the full story from Sam Bright and Olly Haynes. [[link removed]]

Still looking to know more about these issues? Let us know what you’d still like answered: Email us at [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] m [mailto:[email protected]]. Looking for more in-depth UK coverage? Sign up for our UK newsletter [[link removed]].

Thanks as always,

Geoff Dembicki

Global Managing Editor

P.S. DeSmog reporters and researchers shine a light on disinformation and abuses of power. Will you take 60 seconds right now to support more of our work? [[link removed]]

YES, I WILL! [[link removed]]

Image: Brian O'Neill (seated, center) at an Upper Merion Township Planning Commission meeting on May 27, 2026. Credit: Edward Donnelly/DeSmog

Canadian Intelligence Warned About Climate Conspiracies. This MP Kept Spreading Them. [[link removed]]— By Mary Stuart (7 min. read) —

As wildfires rage across the country, Cheryl Gallant continues to spread climate misinformation after a CSIS report said her conspiracy theories could increase the “threat of serious violence”.

READ MORE [[link removed]]

FOLLOWING THIS STORY

How Pennsylvania Governor’s Office Helped Push for Huge Data Centers in the Philadelphia Suburbs [[link removed]]— By Edward Donnelly (21 min. read) —

Emails reveal behind-the-scenes talks with state officials to clear the way for project in Upper Merion Township.

READ MORE [[link removed]]

FOLLOWING THIS STORY

Pennsylvania AI Data Center Developer Asked Trump Administration Official to Help Loosen Toxic Emissions Limits [[link removed]]

— By Edward Donnelly (6 min. read) —

Brian O’Neill asked the State Department attorney to set up meetings with state and federal officials that would clear the way for his project’s gas power plants.

READ MORE [[link removed]]

Tethered: How the White House is Helping Reform’s Finances [[link removed]]

— Sam Bright and Olly Haynes (9 min. read) —

Trump’s commerce chief has been promoting the business interests of Farage’s main donor.

READ MORE [[link removed]]

Nigel Farage Has Spoken at 15 Trump-Linked Events Since 2024 Election [[link removed]]

— By Adam Barnett (5 min. read) —

The Clacton MP has received a platform from a network of MAGA groups that have pushed the president’s agenda in the UK and beyond.

READ MORE [[link removed]] From the Climate Disinformation Database: CT Group [[link removed]]

CT Group [[link removed]] is an influential lobbying firm whose clients have included the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, mining giants BHP and Glencore, and the Legatum Institute (now the Prosperity Institute) — a think tank with right-wing ties. CT Group was founded in Australia in 2002 as Crosby|Textor by Sir Lynton Crosby AO and Mark Textor, a successful campaign strategist and pollster respectively. CT Group now has offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. In 2026, a Guardian investigation found evidence that CT Group had paid reporters to write news articles favorable to its clients. A 2019 Guardian investigation found that CT Group orchestrated a multi-million-pound, multi-faceted campaign to spread pro-coal and anti-renewables messaging on behalf of the mining giant Glencore. In its UK Annual Report and Financial Statements 2025, CT Group says that: “The Group acknowledges that climate change is one of the most serious environmental challenges currently threatening the global community and understands that it has a role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Read the full profile [[link removed]] and browse other individuals and organizations in our Climate Disinformation Database [[link removed]], Ad & PR Database [[link removed]], and Koch Network Database [[link removed]].

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