The Future is Data and Energy

Our C & G Strategies team was glad to be part of the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s 2025 Data Center and Energy Summit. The successful and informative event included several clients that had the opportunity to speak on their work to bring data centers to Pennsylvania and ensure that the energy to support that work is a priority.

The morning’s program included a discussion on The Power of Data Centers with a panel that included W. Mason Emnett from Constellation. The speakers talked about innovative energy solutions shaping the future, including support data of centers in Pennsylvania.

Lt. Governor Austin Davis was the guest for a fireside chat with Pittsburgh Technology Council’s CEO Audrey Russo where the conversation ranged from recent proposals from the Shapiro/Davis administration (“The Lightning Plan”) and efforts to ensure that PA’s role as a national energy leader.

Our co-founder Kimberly Hileman introduced Mark Hamilton of TECfusions who outlined the company's plan to build a data center in New Kensington. The presentation spoke about adaptive reuse of property, sustainable energy practices, public-private partnerships, and driving community revitalization and economic growth.

With an evolving digital landscape and ongoing demand for data, and data centers, Pennsylvania is well-poised to benefit from the economic and developmental benefits of these industries. The Pittsburgh Technology Council event was a great launching point for conversations and relationships that can take advantage of the many opportunities that data and energy continue to provide in our community.

We’re proud to have been a part of it, and to have had so many clients who participated or presented. Congratulations to Audrey and the entire Pittsburgh Technology Council team on a fantastic event. We’re already looking forward to the 2026 Summit.

Legislature

Special Elections Next Week

Next Tuesday, March 25, is Special Election Day for the 36^th Senatorial District (Lancaster) and the 35^th Legislative District (Allegheny) vacancies. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM.

In the Senate, the 36^th Senatorial District has a three-way race between James Malone (D), Zachary Moore (L), and Josh Parsons (R). The seat was vacated when Ryan Aument resigned to take a position with U.S. Senator Dave McCormick as his State Director.

In the House, the 35^th Legislative District will also be a three-way race between Charles D. Davis (R), Dan Goughnour (D), and Adam Kitta (L). The seat became vacant following the death of Matt Gergely in January.

PA House

The PA House returned to session this past Monday and moved a series of bills including passing HB 33 amending the Medical Marijuana Act to improve testing oversight and imposing laboratory requirements, HB 111 barring life insurance denials based on health records showing they’ve obtained Naloxone, and HB 439 that would ban discrimination based on hairstyle.

The bills now go to the Senate for consideration.

Administration

Unemployment Rate Remains Below National Average

The Department of Labor & Industry released its January 2025 numbers. Unemployment is up one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.8 percent in January. The U.S. unemployment rate is at 4.0 percent in January, done one-tenth of a percentage point in the past month.

According to the department:

• Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force – the estimated number of residents working or looking for work – was down 6,000 over the month to 6,542,000 in January. Resident employment (-11,000) drove the decline while unemployment (+4,000) rose over the month.

• Pennsylvania’s total nonfarm jobs were up 9,500 over the month to a record high 6,190,300 in January. Jobs increased from December in eight of the 11 industry supersectors. The largest supersector movement was a gain of 5,100 in education & health services. Education & health services and other services reached record high job levels in January.

• Over the year, jobs were up 75,800 with gains in six of the 11 supersectors. Education & health services (+40,700) had the largest volume over-the-year gain.

Gaming Revenues

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) reported a 4.38% decrease in revenues in February 2025, as compared to the revenue generated in February 2024. Revenues from all forms of gaming along with fantasy contests were $477,250,631. 

iGaming revenue continues to increase. The February 2025 total was $202,742,794, a 12.3% increase over revenues last February.

You can find reports on all types of gaming on the PGCB website, https://gamingcontrolboard.pa.gov/

Grow PA Scholarship Program Accepting Applications

College students and individuals seeking career training programs are now able to apply now for Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program through PHEAA.

The new program offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who pursue a degree or certification in an in-demand occupation. To qualify for the grant, applicants must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania in that occupation after graduation (12 months for each year they receive the grant).

Courses of study that qualify for the grant include agriculture, computer science, business, education, special education, STEM education, engineering, nursing, allied health, criminal justice and other programs as approved by PHEAA.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as pheaa.org/growpa.  

A similar program for out-of-state students, the Grow PA Tuition Waiver Program, allows eligible non-resident PASSHE students pursuing in-demand occupations to pay tuition at an in-state rate. Graduates must meet the same requirements to live and work in Pennsylvania after graduation to qualify for the in-state tuition rates.

Row Offices

Attorney General Nominates Darryl Lawrence as Consumer Advocate

Last month, we reported that Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Darryl A. Lawrence as the interim Consumer Advocate. Now, the interim tag may be removed as Sunday has formally nominated Lawrence for the position. It will need to be confirmed by the Senate.

The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate was established by the General Assembly in 1976 to serve as the legal representative for all utility ratepayers in the Commonwealth. It is housed in the Office of Attorney General, but functions independently. The Office of Consumer Advocate has discretion and authority to intervene in litigation on its own behalf and has actively participated in matters before the Pennsylvania Utility Commission and in state and federal courts.

What's Next

Both the House and Senate will be in session the week of Monday, March 24.

At C&G Strategies, our communications and government relations professionals have leveraged their decades of experience to provide helpful Insights for our clients and the Influence to ensure they are heard. As a C&G Strategies client, you always have an “IN.”