PENNSYLVANIA (WJAC) — Lawmakers in the Pennsylvania Energy House Committee advanced two bills on Monday, both aimed at increasing oversight of data centers.
Although lawmakers say that data centers will be beneficial, they also discussed the need to keep an eye on the demands they will place on the power grid, water resources and communities.
Thus, state lawmakers are taking action to hold data centers accountable for their energy usage, advancing both bills with a 14-12 vote.
The first bill in discussion was House Bill 2150 which would require data centers to submit annual reports on their energy and water usage.
Those in support of the bill say that this will help the Commonwealth understand how those data centers could impact electric rates and environmental resources.
I know data centers are something many people are talking about across our Commonwealth and I believe that they have potentially wide ranging impacts for families as it relates to their bills, to our communities and our environment. I think it is both common sense and our responsibility as a legislature to better understand the possible impact of this rapidly growing industry that could have significant cumulative impacts for the Commonwealth.
Those supporters also argue that better data is needed on the growing amount of data centers, before problems begin.
Additionally, an amendment was adopted before the vote, which allowed that water and energy use to be estimated, removed a requirement to report waste heat and excluded smaller facilities to have to fill out those reports.
Those who oppose the bill argue that this could discourage AI investment in the state.
I’m concerned that the legislation specifically singles out one industry in Pennsylvania, so that’s a number one concern.It also places requirements with a regulatory agency to collect this information, so I’m questioning why this regulatory agency needs this data and then there’s a security risk for the agency that is collecting this data and compiling it, so that’s also a concern of mine.
One lawmaker says that it is important that all parties agree on the bill to get it through the House and Senate and onto the governor’s desk.
This is the technical revolution of our country.We led in the first one, is Pennsylvania going to lead in the next one?“We should be bringing forth legislation that our House and Senate is in agreement on, so we can move Pennsylvania.“We can’t miss out on this opportunity, and I fear with the way this legislation is written now, it is going to be faulty, and we are not going to win this.We must win this
The other bill advanced was House Bill 2151 which will direct the Department of Community and Economic Development to develop a voluntary model zoning ordinance for those municipalities considering development of data centers.
This would address water feasibility studies, documentation of water permits and proof of adequate electric services.
Those that opposed this did not agree with the “one-size fits all approach.”
This legislation, which would create a model ordinance, would create the appearance of a one-size-fits-all state-approved model ordinance when, in fact, the Commonwealth is very diverse, and this particular model ordinance may be problematic in some areas, but not in others.
Because it is voluntary, municipalities would not be required to adopt the ordinance.
These are just some of the steps that the Commonwealth is taking to assure that data centers are regulated as they become increasingly present throughout the country.
We will continue to keep you updated as those bills move through the legislature.