A new federal 'Data Center Bill of Rights' took lessons from Philly suburbs and Western Pa. fracking country
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna has introduced a federal "Data Center Bill of Rights," inspired by widespread community concerns in Pennsylvania regarding data center proliferation. The legislation proposes giving communities the right to reject projects or impose strict protections on energy, water, taxes, and buffer zones. Khanna is also calling for a statewide pause on data center development in Pennsylvania.
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) has introduced a federal "Data Center Bill of Rights," drawing inspiration from widespread community opposition to data center proliferation in Pennsylvania. Khanna, a Bucks County native, cited concerns heard during a 15-county tour through his home state, particularly regarding proposed data centers near King of Prussia and Conshohocken in Montgomery County. He is advocating for a pause on data center development in Pennsylvania until stronger protections and local controls are established, a more stringent stance than Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed guidelines.
The proposed legislation aims to empower communities with the right to reject data centers through a transparent process or approve them with specific safeguards. These protections include mandates for data centers to avoid increasing electricity rates, utilize renewable energy, disclose water consumption, and pay equitable state and local taxes. A key provision, influenced by issues in Western Pennsylvania's fracking country, calls for data centers to be built no closer than 2,500 feet from residences, schools, and healthcare facilities, mirroring an unfulfilled recommendation from a 2020 grand jury report.
The initiative enters a landscape of varied political opinions. While data center advocates argue their necessity for AI development and job creation, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) acknowledges public blowback and suggests developers commit to protecting energy costs, minimizing water overuse, using local labor, and investing in communities. Khanna's bill also competes with the "AI Data Center Moratorium Act," proposed by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), which seeks an immediate federal moratorium on data center construction.
Despite calls for action, Pennsylvania's state lawmakers did not address data center policies or eliminate existing tax breaks for developers during the recent legislative session, a situation Khanna deemed "absurd" given the wealth of "hyperscaler" corporations. Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley, recognizes the political sensitivity of his stance but asserts the need for a development pause in states like Pennsylvania.