State lawmakers advance bill; gives more oversight of new data center water use | News, Sports, Jobs - The Express

Pennsylvania state lawmakers have advanced a bill aimed at increasing oversight of data center water usage. The proposed legislation mandates that data center developers submit detailed reports to the commonwealth on their projected water consumption, sources, and discharge temperatures before commencing operations. These reports must also provide evidence that the data center will not have a foreseeable adverse impact on water quality or quantity. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would gain the authority to reject projects deemed to negatively affect state waterways or other water users. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Joe Webster (D-Montgomery), emphasized the need for "guardrails" to ensure data centers benefit Pennsylvania residents. However, some lawmakers, including Rep. Jack Rader (R-Monroe), expressed opposition, favoring local control over state-level regulation. Rep. Dallas Kephart (R-Clearfield) also raised concerns about a provision allowing the Environmental Quality Board, comprised mostly of unelected officials, to set a fee for developers, arguing this responsibility should lie with elected lawmakers. The bill proposes that any fee would be based on the cost of implementing the program, including water source monitoring, with proceeds directed to the state's Clean Water Fund. Rep. Nikki Rivera (D-Lancaster) noted that reports from data centers in her district might demonstrate lower water usage compared to previous industrial occupants, potentially favoring developers by increasing transparency for residents. The measure passed the House Environmental & Natural Resource Protection Committee with bipartisan support and now moves to the full state House and Senate for consideration before potentially reaching Gov. Josh Shapiro for signature. Separately, House Democrats are also advancing a bill requiring annual energy and water consumption reports to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.