Pennsylvania lawmakers sour on data centers
Pennsylvania lawmakers are expressing bipartisan concerns over data center development, with a proposed statewide three-year moratorium bill introduced by Senator Katie Muth. Other legislation seeks to impose requirements on data center companies for infrastructure and public engagement. Governor Josh Shapiro's voluntary GRID standards, aimed at balancing business and community interests, are facing swift bipartisan pushback from legislators who advocate for stronger local control.
Pennsylvania lawmakers are demonstrating rare bipartisan unity in their skepticism towards data center development. Senator Katie Muth (D-Montgomery) has introduced a bill proposing a three-year statewide moratorium on large-scale data centers, garnering support from two Republican senators. Muth emphasizes the fairness issue for towns where large industrial operations could affect property values, calling it non-partisan.
While not supporting a full moratorium, Senator Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery) has introduced her own legislation to impose stricter requirements on data center companies. Her bills would mandate that developers provide their own power and water infrastructure or contribute more to upgrades, conduct at least two public meetings, and refrain from non-disclosure agreements with public officials. Pennycuick stated that some companies have been "shoving it down the local elected officials' throats" and stressed the importance of local community consent.
Conversely, Luke Bernstein, President of the PA Chamber, advocates for better education for local officials, citing visits to data centers in Ashburn, Virginia, which he says occupy little land but contribute significantly to taxes without noise. He believes data centers may not suit every community but could benefit some.
Politically, the issue is intensifying. Governor Josh Shapiro's recently unveiled GRID standards, designed to balance business encouragement with community protection through faster permitting and tax benefits, have faced immediate bipartisan opposition. Both Muth and Pennycuick criticized the GRID principles as voluntary and industry-written, with Pennycuick advocating for local control. Despite threats from developers to move to other states, both senators believe companies will ultimately go where power is available.