It’s a bold move with big implications, not just for Amazon Web Services (AWS), but for the state’s economy, energy strategy, and role in the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.

Two Mega Campuses: High Tech Meets Local Roots

The two planned data centers will anchor Amazon’s growing East Coast digital footprint. The first is rising beside the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Berwick, in northeastern Pennsylvania—a location that has already sparked attention from federal regulators due to Amazon’s energy strategy (more on that shortly).

The second campus will be located at Fairless Hills, just north of Philadelphia, on the grounds of the former U.S. Steel mill, now part of the Keystone Trade Center—one of the largest industrial redevelopment projects in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Berwick, Governor Josh Shapiro hailed the announcement as a sign that Pennsylvania is entering a new era of high-tech economic development.

“This is just the beginning,” Shapiro said. “We’re working with Amazon on more projects that will bring opportunity to communities that have been overlooked for far too long.”

What’s at Stake: Jobs, Training, and Long-Term Growth

Critics of data centers often note that they require relatively few permanent jobs to operate. But state officials—and Amazon—are betting on the broader economic ripple effects.

The construction phase alone will demand thousands of skilled laborers, generating short-term job booms in construction, electrical work, and logistics. In addition, Amazon will pour tens of millions into local businesses for services, supplies, and operations support.

Shapiro’s administration is investing $10 million into workforce training programs through local schools, community colleges, and union training centers. The goal: to prepare a pipeline of Pennsylvania workers for jobs in cloud technology, electrical engineering, and data center maintenance.

Amazon, for its part, will also benefit from state-level sales tax exemptions for critical infrastructure like servers, routers, and cooling systems—common incentives offered by states vying for big-tech infrastructure projects.

Powering the Cloud—with Nuclear Energy

The most headline-grabbing detail? Amazon’s plan to plug one of its data centers directly into a nuclear power plant.

This “behind-the-meter” deal would allow AWS to draw power straight from the Susquehanna nuclear facility, skipping the congested regional electric grid and gaining faster, more reliable access to the megawatts needed to run massive computing clusters.

The deal—valued at $650 million—would eventually provide 960 megawatts of electricity, or about 40% of the plant’s total output. That’s enough to power over 500,000 homes, underscoring the sheer scale of energy required for modern data centers, especially those built to handle next-gen AI workloads.

But the plan isn’t without controversy.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has temporarily blocked the deal on procedural grounds, marking the first time the agency has been asked to rule on a behind-the-meter arrangement of this scale. Critics argue it raises equity and reliability concerns, suggesting that large tech firms could avoid grid costs that smaller users still bear—and potentially drive up rates or strain availability elsewhere.

The AI Arms Race Drives Demand

This move isn’t happening in a vacuum. Amazon is in the midst of a multi-billion-dollar expansion of its AWS infrastructure to keep pace with rising demand for cloud services and AI computing. Since early 2024, Amazon has pledged $10 billion each to build data centers in Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi, and North Carolina.

This investment wave is driven by the exploding use of AI models, cloud-based applications, and data analytics, which require constant access to high-density servers—and a massive, steady flow of electricity to keep them cool and operational.

“Data centers are the engine rooms of the digital economy,” said Kevin Miller, AWS vice president of global data centers. “They’re where cloud meets reality.”

Pennsylvania’s Tech Energy Transformation

Amazon isn’t the only company betting big on Pennsylvania’s future as a tech and energy hybrid hub:

• Microsoft recently signed a 20-year deal to restart the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear reactor to power its data centers across four states.
• A separate developer is converting the former Brunner Island coal-fired power plant into a $10 billion natural gas-powered data center campus.

These projects reflect a deeper trend: the shift from traditional fossil-fuel-based industries to digital infrastructure powered by cleaner, more stable energy sources like nuclear and natural gas.

Pennsylvania, long known for its steel, coal, and manufacturing heritage, may now be carving out a future as a data and energy corridor for the 21st century.

What’s Next?

Amazon’s $20 billion investment is expected to unfold over several years, with construction and regulatory approvals still in progress. But one thing is clear: this isn’t just a story about buildings full of servers.

It’s about the intersection of tech, energy, and economic revival, and whether states like Pennsylvania can leverage their industrial past—and energy-rich landscapes—to become pillars of the digital economy.

As the AI revolution accelerates, the real infrastructure battle may be less about code—and more about who controls the power behind it.

Source: AP News – Amazon to spend $20B on data centers in Pennsylvania, including one next to a nuclear power plant

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Some Amazon customers are waking up to surprise refunds worth hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars for purchases they made years ago. One user on LinkedIn claimed they received a staggering $1,800 refund for a smart TV they bought back in 2017.

What’s Behind the Sudden Payouts?

According to a report from Bloomberg, the refunds are tied to an internal review Amazon recently conducted. That review may have been prompted by a 2023 consumer lawsuit, in which a group of shoppers accused Amazon of unfairly reversing legitimate refunds related to returned items.

Following the review, Amazon uncovered several cases where:

• Refunds were issued but payment processing failed
• Returned items couldn’t be verified, so no refund was given

Amazon’s Statement

An Amazon spokesperson confirmed the news to CNET, noting that only a small subset of customers are affected.

“There is no action required from customers to receive the refunds,” the spokesperson said. “We’ve identified and resolved the issue.”

In other words, if you’re eligible, the refund should land in your account automatically.

The $1 Billion Clue

Amazon had already flagged this issue internally. In its latest earnings call, the company disclosed a $1 billion one-time expense tied to outstanding customer refunds. That financial note may explain why these long-overdue refunds are suddenly rolling out—some dating as far back as 2018.

What Should You Do?

For now, there’s no need to contact Amazon or file a request. If you’re eligible, the money should appear in your account without any action on your part.

Bottom Line: If you’ve shopped on Amazon in the last few years, don’t be surprised if you get an unexpected refund. It’s part of a broader cleanup effort by the retail giant to fix past payment mishaps—some of which may have flown under the radar for years.

Source: USA Today – Amazon Is Suddenly Giving Refunds Dating Back to 2018: Here’s Why

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Amazon has clarified it will not be listing tariff-related import charges alongside product prices on its website, despite widespread speculation — and a heated reaction from the Trump administration — over reports suggesting otherwise.

Earlier on Tuesday, a report from Punchbowl News claimed Amazon planned to break out tariff costs “right next to” product prices. The news immediately drew fire from the White House, which labeled the rumored move a “hostile and political act.”

Amazon quickly responded, saying no such change was approved or even in the works for the broader platform. According to spokesperson Tim Doyle, only Amazon’s Haul storefront — a low-cost, newly launched platform — briefly considered showing import costs on select items. But the idea never advanced.

“It was never approved and is not going to happen,” Doyle said.

Still, the White House’s initial reaction was swift and sharp. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Amazon of aligning with “a Chinese propaganda arm,” adding political fuel to the economic fire. Reports also indicate that President Trump personally called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos Tuesday morning to express his discontent.

By Tuesday afternoon, the mood had shifted. President Trump praised Bezos in front of reporters before leaving for Michigan, saying, “He solved a problem very quickly and he did the right thing. He’s a good guy.”

Bezos, once part of the elite group seated behind Trump at his inauguration, now finds himself — along with other corporate giants — navigating the unpredictability of ongoing tariff battles that continue to shake global markets.

Economists and business leaders have long warned that Trump’s tariffs, along with retaliation from trade partners like China, could increase everyday prices for consumers and heighten inflation. For companies like Amazon, that’s a balancing act between shielding customers and staying transparent about rising costs.

“Companies are always communicating something with us through receipts,” said Rob Lalka, a professor at Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business. He noted that whether it’s city taxes on hotel stays or local fees in Uber rides, itemized charges aren’t new — and Amazon has used similar approaches before, like listing state sales taxes.

Still, breaking out tariff costs next to each product would have been a bold move — and a highly visible one.

While Amazon distanced itself from the idea, some competitors have already gone there. Chinese-owned Temu and Shein, for example, announced price hikes tied to “recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs.” Temu now includes visible import fees on many listings, while Shein assures customers that tariffs are already baked into the final checkout price.

Some items on Temu have reportedly doubled in cost due to added import charges — unless sourced from local warehouses, which remain tariff-exempt.

Although Amazon denied the rumored pricing change, Lalka believes the idea didn’t come out of nowhere.

“The reality is that politics are always being played,” he said. “And when companies change how prices are displayed, it’s not just business — it’s a message.”

With trade tensions still high and tariff policies shifting, expect more companies to quietly adjust how they pass on those costs — even if it’s not shown front and center in your shopping cart.

Source: CNN – Amazon is not planning to break out tariff costs online as White House attacks potential move

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Amazon is exploring whether to display tariff surcharges on ultra-low-cost products sold through its Haul platform—a budget-focused section of its website and app offering items under $20. The potential change, confirmed by Amazon to CNBC, signals a new way the retail giant may respond to increasing trade-related costs.

Haul, Amazon’s answer to fast-growing Chinese discount retailers like Temu and Shein, targets price-conscious shoppers with cheap electronics, clothing, and household items. These competitors have gained massive popularity in the U.S. thanks to their rock-bottom prices—often enabled by trade exemptions and low manufacturing costs.

An Amazon spokesperson clarified that the idea of listing import charges is under consideration only for Haul, not the broader Amazon marketplace. “The team that runs our ultra low cost Amazon Haul store has considered listing import charges on certain products,” the company said. “This was never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties.”

The discussion gained traction after Punchbowl News reported that Amazon would “soon” begin showing tariffs alongside product prices—a move that quickly caught the attention of the White House.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt didn’t hold back, slamming the idea as politically motivated. “Why didn’t Amazon do this when the Biden administration hiked inflation to the highest level in 40 years?” she said, calling the reported plan a “hostile and political act.”

This tariff-related shake-up comes as Amazon and other retailers brace for the impact of new trade policies under former President Donald Trump’s second round of tariffs. Earlier this month, Amazon began surveying its massive third-party seller network to assess how the new tariffs are affecting operations, product sourcing, and logistics. Many sellers are already feeling the pinch—raising prices, trimming marketing budgets, and adjusting their supply chains in response to rising import costs.

If Amazon proceeds with its surcharge display on Haul, it could set a precedent for greater transparency in how trade policies affect everyday prices—and spark new debates over who really bears the cost of global trade.

Source: CNBC – Amazon considers displaying tariff surcharge on low-cost Haul products

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A Trump administration official confirmed Wednesday that Amazon submitted its offer in a letter addressed to Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not disclose the bid’s specifics. The New York Times first reported the development.

The urgency stems from a national security law upheld by the Supreme Court, which requires TikTok’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to sell the platform to an approved U.S. buyer or face an operational shutdown in the country. President Donald Trump, who has millions of TikTok followers, temporarily paused the ban on Inauguration Day but has signaled that he expects a resolution by Saturday. While he has the power to delay the ban further, he has also indicated that he prefers a deal to be finalized quickly.

Amazon has declined to comment on the bid, and TikTok has not responded to requests for a statement.

Amazon’s bid isn’t the only one on the table. Several major players have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations, including:

• Oracle: The software giant already holds a 12.5% stake in TikTok Global as part of a 2020 agreement when it became the app’s cloud technology provider.
• Blackstone: The investment firm has also been exploring a potential bid.
• Perplexity AI: The artificial intelligence startup proposed a merger with TikTok’s U.S. operations in January, emphasizing its ability to revamp the platform’s algorithm without creating a monopoly.
• Frank McCourt’s Consortium: The billionaire businessman, along with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian as a strategic adviser, reportedly offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash for TikTok’s U.S. platform.
• Employer.com Founder Jesse Tinsley: Tinsley’s consortium is said to have put forth an offer exceeding $30 billion.
• Wyoming Businessman Reid Rasner: Rasner claims to have made the highest bid so far—approximately $47.5 billion.

The controversy surrounding TikTok isn’t just about business; it’s a matter of national security, according to U.S. officials. Both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission have expressed concerns that ByteDance could potentially share user data—including browsing history, location tracking, and biometric identifiers—with the Chinese government.

TikTok has repeatedly denied these allegations, stating it has never shared data with Beijing and wouldn’t comply with such requests. However, U.S. officials argue that China’s national security laws could compel ByteDance to hand over user information if demanded by authorities. Despite the warnings, no concrete evidence has been publicly presented to confirm these fears.

Trump’s stance on TikTok has fluctuated over time. During his first term, he signed executive orders banning transactions with ByteDance and WeChat, citing security risks. However, since then, his view of TikTok has softened, particularly as he’s leveraged the platform’s vast reach to engage younger voters. He has acknowledged TikTok’s influence in shaping public opinion and political discourse.

With the Saturday deadline fast approaching, the next few days will be crucial in determining TikTok’s fate in the United States. Whether Amazon’s bid gains traction or another company emerges as the frontrunner remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the battle over TikTok is far from over.

Source: AP News – Amazon’s last-minute bid for TikTok comes as a US ban on the platform is set to take effect Saturday

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Holiday Shipping Stress Sparks Unusual Incident

In the midst of the holiday shipping rush, an Amazon driver in Lakeville, Massachusetts, abandoned 80 packages in a wooded area, citing stress as the reason for their actions. The discovery, made mere days before Christmas, drew attention but resulted in no criminal charges.

Discovery of Abandoned Packages

During a routine patrol around 2 a.m. on Sunday, a Lakeville police sergeant spotted unattended items in a wooded area near 63 Bedford Street. Upon closer inspection, the officer found three large totes filled with Amazon packages, some of which were scattered several feet into the woods.

The abandoned packages, totaling 80 in number, were collected and brought to the Lakeville Police Department. At the time, no reports of stolen or missing packages had been filed.

Collaboration with Amazon

Police promptly contacted a nearby Amazon distribution center in Middleborough to report the incident. The recovered packages were returned to Amazon for redelivery.

Driver Comes Forward

On Monday, the Amazon driver responsible for the incident visited the Lakeville Police Department. The driver admitted to leaving the packages on the roadside around 7 p.m. on Saturday, explaining that they felt overwhelmed by stress during the busy holiday season.

The driver also stated they intended to report the situation to their manager. Police did not disclose the driver’s identity.

Police Response

Lakeville Police Chief Matthew Perkins commended his team for their professional handling of the situation, emphasizing a focus on resolving the matter as a human resources issue rather than pursuing criminal charges.

“I am proud of the way our Lakeville Police officers handled and investigated this matter. At this time, we are not seeking criminal charges and are considering this a human resources matter for Amazon,” Chief Perkins stated.

A Reminder of Holiday Season Pressures

The incident highlights the immense pressures delivery drivers face during the holiday rush, where tight schedules and heavy workloads can take a toll on mental well-being.

As Amazon works to ensure the packages are delivered to their intended recipients, this case serves as a reminder of the human challenges behind holiday logistics.

Source

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