From Public Source <[email protected]>
Subject Criticism for Upper Burrell data center
Date September 5, 2026 11:06 AM
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An effort to build the Pittsburgh area’s largest hyperscale data center met opposition Wednesday in Upper Burrell Township ([link removed]) , a community of 2,000 in Westmoreland County.

More than 50 residents attended a board of supervisors meeting in the township Wednesday. Most spoke against the center ([link removed]) .

“Alcoa brought a lot of good things to this community,” said Upper Burrell resident David Ostrosky, referring to the site’s former owner. “Bottom line is, I don’t get that vibe from these guys.”

✍️ Newsletter written by Charlie Wolfson ([link removed]) ,

Public Source local government reporter & newsletter editor


** THIS WEEK’S STORIES
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Upper Burrell residents decry transparency as data center progresses despite moratorium and a lawsuit ([link removed]) — Since passing a moratorium on new data center developments in May, Upper Burrell commissioners have approved a land development plan for TECfusions.

First-person essay: My disability wasn’t the problem. The assumptions about it were. ([link removed]) — I built a career in cybersecurity, lost a job after seeking an ADA accommodation and encountered the same doubts while training as a blackjack dealer. Disabled people shouldn’t have to keep proving what they can do.

PRT’s bus route ‘refresh’ could have short shelf life, unless state steps up ([link removed]) — PRT hopes that a comprehensive redesign of its system can generate enough momentum to avoid a 35% reduction in service in 2028. The plan would shrink the agency’s footprint area while boosting weekend service.


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** IN OTHER NEWS
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→ Judge rules Allegheny County must keep pension fund sound, grants time to fix $1.4B deficit ([link removed]) (TribLIVE)

→ In Allegheny County and beyond, officials prepare for election as Trump seeks to change the rules ([link removed]) (WESA)

→ US diesel prices hit a record high, pushing up transportation costs for a long list of goods ([link removed]) (AP)


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** TODAY IN HISTORY 📅
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Today is September 5.

35 years ago, 1991: Mayor Sophie Masloff proposed a $100 million baseball-only stadium for the North Shore. City Council members were hostile or noncommittal to the idea, and state Rep. Tom Murphy, who a decade later oversaw PNC Park’s construction as mayor, said the plan “doesn’t seem to make any sense.”

51 years ago, 1975: President Gerald R. Ford survived an assassination attempt by Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, a disciple of Charles Manson, in Sacramento, California. (Fromme was released from prison on parole in 2009.) (AP)

54 years ago, 1972: Palestinian militants attacked the Israeli Olympic delegation at the Munich Games, killing two and taking nine others hostage; five of the militants, all nine hostages and a German police officer were killed in the following 24 hours. (AP)


** LOCAL EVENTS
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🛍️ Neighborhood Flea ([link removed]) 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday | Schenley Plaza, Oakland

🏈 Pitt football home opener ([link removed]) 12:30 p.m. Saturday | Acrisure Stadium, North Shore

🎷 Jazz in the Garden ([link removed]) Sept. 17 | Phipps Conservatory, Oakland

🦁 Disney’s The Lion King ([link removed]) Sept. 9-27 | Benedum Center, Downtown

👋 Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! I hope you feel more informed about Pittsburgh and your community. For any questions or comments, feel free to email me at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
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