PPL Shares Dip 0.25% But Trade Volume Surges 47.93% to $240M Ranking 390th as Pennsylvania Data Center Expansion Drives Scrutiny

On August 29, 2025, PPL (PPL) traded at a 0.25% decline with a volume of $0.24 billion, marking a 47.93% surge from the previous day’s activity and ranking 390th in trading volume. The utility’s exposure to Pennsylvania’s data center expansion remains a focal point amid growing infrastructure demands.

PPL is navigating increased scrutiny over its Susquehanna nuclear power plant, which supports regional energy needs for hyperscale data centers. Amazon’s $20 billion investment in Pennsylvania, including AI and cloud computing campuses near the plant, highlights the state’s strategic role in meeting surging data center electricity demands. However, the project raises concerns about water usage, as hyperscale facilities require significant cooling resources, often relying on traditional evaporative methods that strain local water supplies.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) is closely monitoring water allocation for these facilities, emphasizing the need to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. While existing data centers in the region have operated without SRBC intervention, newer hyperscale projects face stricter oversight to ensure water withdrawals do not deplete resources or harm ecosystems. Innovations in dry and hybrid cooling technologies are being promoted to reduce water consumption, offering potential cost and permitting advantages for developers.

Pennsylvania’s zoning challenges and housing displacement risks underscore broader tensions between tech-driven development and community needs. Mobile home park residents in areas like Archbald face displacement as land is repurposed for data centers, reflecting a statewide trend where affordable housing struggles to compete with large-scale infrastructure projects. Policymakers are urged to address these disparities to ensure equitable growth.

The backtest results indicate that PPL’s stock performance aligns with its current trajectory, with historical data showing mixed outcomes for similar energy-sector plays in data-driven markets. Investors are advised to monitor regulatory developments and water policy updates, which could influence the stock’s long-term stability.