(WHTM)– Pennsylvania lawmakers are proposing new legislation to enforce regulations on data centers in the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Sens. John Kane (D-9) and Steven Santarsiero (D-10)’s legislation comes as discourse surrounding data centers grows in communities nationwide and in the commonwealth.
Communities have expressed concern about utility costs, water use, noise, and environmental issues as discussions of data center development continue.
According to the memo, large data center operators are currently “eligible for generous tax breaks while local communities shoulder the risks.”
The legislation would establish the guidelines to ensure that developers seeking tax incentives for data center equipment in Pennsylvania meet certain standards. The memo said the standards were introduced by Governor Josh Shapiro in his 2026-27 budget address as part of the Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) plan.
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Under the legislation, developers must demonstrate that they will protect energy affordability by adding clean power without raising utility bills, meet transparency rules, and engage with local governments and residents, including early disclosure of water and energy demands.
The memo added that developers must also demonstrate that they are engaging with the community to deliver economic benefits through investments and job growth, and protect the environment by limiting water and energy consumption, and preventing air pollution.
The legislation has not yet been submitted for introduction.
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