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EDITOR’S DESK
The Hungry Thing
When the kids were little, one of our favorite books to read together was “The Hungry Thing.” It told the story of a strange and scaly beast that came to town asking to be fed. The thing was, he mispronounced the foods he wanted, so the townspeople would have to guess what he meant.
When he asked for “shmancakes,” the town Wiseman thought he knew the answer: “Shmancakes, that’s plain, are a small kind of chicken that falls with the rain.” Of course, it was a clever boy who figured out the Hungry Thing just wanted pancakes.
We enjoyed guessing the foods he wanted. “Boop with a smacker,” the kids knew, was soup with a cracker. And so it went.
Today, we’re seeing new hungry things creeping into the Commonwealth. They’re coming in the form of large-scale data centers, the giant engine rooms powering the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). AI-driven systems already shape much of our daily tech experience, from movie recommendations to online shopping, and their computing power is housed inside these massive data centers.
What makes them true “hungry things” is how much electricity they consume. AI-enhanced internet searches now use 10 times more energy than Google searches from just a few years ago. These systems devour data — and demand ever-increasing amounts of power to run. In fact, the International Energy Agency predicts that by 2026, global data center energy use will match the energy consumption of Japan, a nation of 125 million people.
Closer to home, these energy-hogging beasts are getting some serious attention. President Donald Trump was in Pittsburgh last month for the inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, which was hosted by U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.). They announced more than $90 billion in investments from private companies in Pennsylvania — funding expected to support AI infrastructure, new data centers, and the electric generation they require. Representatives from Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives were also on hand for the event.
While the high-level event speaks to the rapid growth in AI-driven data centers, it’s also a reflection of our demand for the technology they support. At home and at work, data centers power all the streaming, scrolling, and connecting we do online. These facilities are expanding to keep up with our ever-growing appetite for information. In many ways, we are the Hungry Thing. Feed us.
PETER A. FITZGERALD
EDITOR
BAN LIFTED
New bill allows hunting on Sundays
After more than 100 years of not legally being able to hunt on Sundays in Pennsylvania, hunters will now be able to do just that after a House bill was signed into law earlier this summer.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny), repeals the statewide ban. The Board of Game Commissioners will now determine when Sunday hunting will be implemented.
While the Game Commission has signaled it wants to move forward with the process as soon as this year, it’s currently unclear when those dates will be announced.
Pennsylvania has about 850,000 licensed hunters, which is the second most in the nation behind Texas.
MAKING HUNTING HISTORY: Earlier this summer, lawmakers passed a bill that allows Sunday hunting. The measure overturns a law that been in place for more than 150 years.
STAY ALERT
PennDOT warns public about REAL ID text message scam
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently alerted the public about a new texting scam involving REAL ID. Officials say fraudulent text messages are being sent to customers claiming to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. They’re asking people to click on a link and provide personal and payment information.
PennDOT officials report they do not have a process that enables customers to pre-scan and upload REAL ID documents from a home or mobile device. Also, they say, PennDOT will never ask for or accept any identity documents over the internet, via text message or email for any reason.
Bottom line: Customers should not respond to these requests.
THREE TIMES AS NICE
Delaware River named Pa.'s 2025 River of the Year
The Delaware River has played a pivotal role in American history, from George Washington’s famous crossing during the Revolutionary War to powering the Industrial Revolution. This year, fans of the river are celebrating its recent designation as the 2025 Pennsylvania River of
the Year.
Once one of the most polluted rivers in the nation, the Delaware River has undergone a dramatic recovery. It now boasts more national wild and scenic designations than any other river in the United States. It also supplies drinking water to more than 14 million people.
This is the third time the Delaware River has received this honor, following wins in 2002 and 2011. The designation is based on public voting. This year’s contest registered 8,037 total votes, with the Delaware River earning 2,962. The Youghiogheny River and Perkiomen Creek followed with 2,784 and 2,291 votes, respectively.
WALKING THROUGH FIRE
Firefighters undergo wildfire suppresion training
Nearly 500 wildland firefighters from 11 states, including Pennsylvania, recently underwent intensive wildfire suppression training through the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) at Shippensburg University. The training is hosted annually by the state Bureau of Forestry.
Pennsylvania has a long history of answering the call to fight wildfires. In 2024, nearly 200 Pennsylvania wildland firefighters deployed to support out-of-state firefighting operations, often as part of 20-person interagency crews.
In January, 40 Pennsylvania firefighters were deployed to California to battle devastating wildfires near Los Angeles. In May, hundreds of firefighters, first responders and local officials worked tirelessly to contain wildfires closer to home in Michaux State Forest.
Since the Commonwealth’s wildfire suppression training program began in 1973, DCNR has sent crews to wildfire and hurricane incidents in every region of the country — from Alaska to Hawaii and the western
United States.
CONTEST TIME!
Help us celebrate Penn Lines’ 60th anniversary
Penn Lines has a big birthday coming up, and we want you to be a part of our 60th anniversary celebration. Before the confetti flies in 2026, though, we’re kicking off a handful of photo contests this year; enter one — or all three.
CONTEST NO. 1 – LONGEST-LIVED PENN LINES! If you have an oldie but a goodie around the house, take a photo of it with you. Please make sure the publication date is visible.
CONTEST NO. 2 – MOST WELL-TRAVELED PENN LINES! We'll be honest: We like it when we get to go to some place nice. Take your favorite issue of Penn Lines to some place special in your community and take a photo of yourself with it.
CONTEST NO. 3 – A DATE WITH PENN LINES! We’ll be honest: We like it when we get to go to some place nice. Take your favorite issue of Penn Lines to some place special in your community and take a photo of yourself with the magazine.
FOR ALL CONTESTS, WE WILL NEED: your name, address, daytime telephone number, the month and year of the magazine, and the name of the cooperative that serves your home, business, or seasonal residence.
PRIZES: $50 gift card; the photo will also be featured in Penn Lines in 2026
DEADLINE: Friday, Oct. 31
SEND ENTRIES TO: PennLines@prea.com (put “60 Years of Penn Lines” in the subject line) or Penn Lines Editor/60 YEARS OF PENN LINES, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266.
TIME LINES — August 2015
Ten years ago, Penn Lines looked at the intersection between wildlife and art by spotlighting photographers, graphic designers, and even a gourd-crafter. The article highlighted a cooperative member who had a passion for macro photography and another who became the owner of the largest gourd-crafting business in the United States. These success stories proved that Pennsylvania is home not only to beautiful wildlife, bult also to the beautiful art that it inspires.
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