Pa. senator calls for limits on data centers
A Pennsylvania state senator is calling for legislation to prevent data centers from being classified as public utilities, citing concerns about eminent domain and local government control. She is also working on a bill to implement a three-year statewide moratorium on data center development. Opponents continue to push back against data center projects in the state.
Pennsylvania State Senator Katie Muth is spearheading legislative efforts to regulate data center development in the state. The Democrat, representing parts of Berks, Chester, and Montgomery counties, proposes a bill to prevent data centers from being classified as public utilities. Senator Muth warns that such a classification could empower data centers to utilize eminent domain for project advancement, thereby curtailing local governments' authority to restrict development.
Additionally, Senator Muth is preparing a separate bill that would impose a three-year moratorium on all new data center development statewide. This proposed halt is intended to provide local municipalities with time to update their ordinances and regulations concerning data center projects. The legislative push comes amid ongoing public opposition to data center expansion, with opponents asserting that their concerns are not diminishing despite continued development efforts.