HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — A pair of bills that aim to help Pennsylvania regulate potential data centers passed the House of Representatives on Monday, according to records.

House Bill 2150, which would establish annual water and energy reporting requirements for any data centers, passed with a vote of 133-68.

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In addition, a legal memo notes that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Public Utility would be required to issue a joint report on the data centers’ water and energy impacts annually.

These measures would be put in place to increase transparency surrounding data center operations and leave residents with fewer questions than answers, according to the memo.

These transparency measures will play a crucial role in protecting our residents, informing sound policy decisions, and safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

Without clear reporting, it is difficult for lawmakers to “fully understand and mitigate” impacts on energy supply chains, utility rates, and the environment, the document noted.

Representatives didn’t stop there. House Bill 2151 also passed by a vote of 124-77.

HB 2151 would push an area government commission to develop an alternative model ordinance for municipalities to use to help regulate data centers.

The sponsor, Rep. Kyle Donahue (D-Lackawanna County), noted how this should empower municipalities that lack the time and/or resources to develop their own data center ordinances.

According to a legal memo, HB215 would:

Protect the health and well-being of residents living near data centers.Ensure responsible siting and operation of these facilities.Support sustainable economic development that preserves community quality of life.

These data center ordinances would include sound barrier provisions, building design standards, and other measures to reduce community disruptions in neighborhoods hosting data centers.

In the memo, Donahue noted there are no consistent statewide standards requiring data centers to mitigate the aforementioned concerns.

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Both bills will move to the Senate for consideration.