Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing a series of bills aimed at increasing oversight of large data center developments as concerns grow over energy use, water consumption, tax incentives and local control.
According to reports from WTAJ News, measures approved by the state House would allow municipalities to temporarily pause data center applications, require greater disclosure of water and energy usage, prevent utility customers from bearing infrastructure costs tied to data centers, establish development standards, eliminate certain tax breaks and increase transparency.
Additional proposals remain under consideration in the House and Senate, including restricting data centers from obtaining public utility status and strengthening emergency preparedness requirements for local first responders.
