Bresnahan proposes bill to strengthen local control over data center projects
Congressman Rob Bresnahan has introduced federal legislation, the Local Control Protection Act, aimed at strengthening local governments' ability to control data center developments in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The bill would protect municipalities from legal challenges by developers over zoning denials and require community benefit agreements for projects receiving federal incentives. This initiative addresses local concerns about infrastructure, water consumption, and utility costs.
Congressman Rob Bresnahan, representing Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district, has introduced the Local Control Protection Act in Washington D.C. The legislation seeks to empower local governments in areas like Northeastern Pennsylvania by shielding them from legal challenges by data center developers when projects are denied. Bresnahan highlighted concerns from residents regarding infrastructure demands, water consumption, and utility costs associated with large-scale data centers.
The proposed bill aims to prevent developers from suing municipalities or counties in federal court over zoning denials if those decisions are based on documented concerns like public health or water resources. Furthermore, federal agencies would be prohibited from approving permits for data center projects if the developer is actively attempting to overturn a local zoning decision through legal action.
Additionally, the Local Control Protection Act would mandate that data center developers receiving federal incentives for approved projects enter into publicly filed community benefit agreements. These agreements would ensure communities receive tangible benefits, such as job creation, infrastructure improvements, and commitments to environmental protection, in exchange for hosting the developments. The bill is expected to undergo consideration in Congress amidst ongoing debate over balancing economic growth from data centers with local control and environmental impact in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, Bresnahan's opponent, criticized the bill, alleging Bresnahan's personal investments in data center stocks and calling his efforts a "charade."