Gov. Healey signs executive order on new Massachusetts data centers: "We're giving communities full voice"
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order establishing new regulations for data center construction across the state. The order mandates community benefit agreements with local municipalities and requires new data centers to secure their own energy supply or contribute to a ratepayer protection fund. This statewide policy aims to give communities more voice and manage energy demands, although it has not appeased residents in Lowell who are actively suing to block a local data center expansion.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed an executive order to establish "guardrails" on the construction of new data centers across the Commonwealth. The order mandates that data center developers enter into community benefit agreements with local municipalities, allowing towns and cities to negotiate terms such as pollution limits and infrastructure investments. Governor Healey emphasized that the measure aims to empower communities in the development process.
Additionally, the executive order requires new data centers to either secure their own energy supply or contribute to a ratepayer protection fund, which would then reimburse ratepayers. This policy addresses concerns about data centers consuming excessive energy at the expense of other businesses and residents.
However, the new regulations have been met with skepticism by some, including residents of Lowell who are currently involved in a lawsuit to block the expansion of the Markley Data Center in their residential area. Jake Fortes, a prominent opponent of the Markley Center, stated that the executive order does not alleviate his immediate concerns about the existing facility. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue also echoed energy infrastructure concerns, expressing disinterest in further data center investment in Massachusetts.
Conversely, Brad Tietz, Director of Government Affairs for the Midwest division of the Data Center Coalition, highlighted the economic and societal benefits of data centers, referencing their role in healthcare, banking, government, and remote work, and affirmed the industry's commitment to covering its full cost of service.