The Data Center Decision Tree: A Strategic Guide for Communities

Join staff from Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, Buckeye Environmental Network, FracTracker Alliance, and Ohio River Valley Institute for a walkthrough of the Data Center Decision Tree and a discussion about how communities can use it to identify permitting, utility, financing, legal, communications, and organizing opportunities.

Whether you’re just learning about a proposed project or are already deep into a campaign, the Decision Tree serves as a visual roadmap to help communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia identify opportunities to challenge or mitigate harmful data center projects.

The Decision Tree helps communities:

• Identify permitting, financing, and utility vulnerabilities
• Understand key decision points and opportunities for engagement
• Explore organizing strategies and data-backed communications
• Find anticipated local, state, and federal permits
• Access a curated collection of resources, research, and tools

Together, we’ll explore how the Decision Tree can help turn a complicated development process into a more manageable and strategic path forward. Our goal is that you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of where your community is in the process and what avenues may be available to pursue.

Speaker Bios:

Meagan Niebler, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services:

Meagan Niebler (she/her) has been with Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services for almost five years.  The work of changing the shape of the decision-making table is something that has motivated her throughout her career, including previous work as a birth Doula and program director supporting pregnant and parenting teens, Latinx families, and postpartum families with complex needs; and developing, implementing, and evaluating family sexuality education programs, including the evidence-based Linking Families and Teens (LiFT).   At Fair Shake, Meagan supports communities through technical assistance and education on legal, policy, and organizing levers to move their goals forward.

Virginia Alvino Young, Ohio River Valley Institute:

Virginia Alvino Young, MBA is a communications strategist who has spent her career telling the types of stories that move hearts and minds. As a public radio reporter, she travelled the country covering race and equity for NPR and affiliate stations. As a media strategist, she supported progressive environmental and labor campaigns across Appalachia. At Ohio River Valley Institute, she takes an empirical approach to shifting the public narrative on climate and the economy, and is committed to building a more sustainable and equitable Appalachia. Virginia lives in Pittsburgh with her son, and cat Bean.

Katie Jones, FracTracker Alliance:

Katie Jones is the Ohio River Valley Coordinator at FracTracker Alliance, based in Pittsburgh, PA. She works to monitor and analyze data associated with oil, gas, and petrochemical activities and provides resources to support the needs of frontline communities, organizations, and campaigns.

Catherine Adams, Buckeye Environmental Network:

Cat Adams (she/her) has been organizing for environmental justice in Ohio since 2019. She is deeply committed to fighting environmental harms by building people power. Prior to working at BEN, she worked on numerous grassroots campaigns for energy justice and climate action. Her commitment to fighting extractive industries led her to become a Break Free From Plastics Movement and Policy Fellow in 2025. Through this fellowship, she participated in national efforts to reduce single-use plastics production. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in geography in 2025. Her undergraduate research focused on energy geographies of empire and environmental histories. When she’s not working, Cat enjoys watching soccer, finding new vegan food spots, and reading a good book.