PA House advances bills targeting data center transparency and community protections

Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing legislation to address the rapid expansion and impact of data centers across the state. The state House recently passed two bills, House Bill 2150 and House Bill 2151, which aim to increase transparency and provide local communities with better tools to manage data center development. HB 2150, sponsored by Representative Kyle Mullins of Lackawanna County, mandates that data center operators report their annual energy and water usage. It also requires the Department of Environmental Protection and the Public Utility Commission to publish a yearly report detailing the overall impact of these facilities, responding to what Mullins described as a lack of transparency. HB 2151, introduced by Representative Kyle Donahue, directs the state's Local Government Commission to develop a model ordinance for municipalities. This ordinance would guide local governments in regulating issues such as noise, facility size, and water consumption, particularly benefiting communities that lack resources to create their own regulations amid accelerating data center construction. Both bills received bipartisan support and backing from environmental organizations and local government groups. They are now headed to the state Senate for further consideration as part of a broader effort to balance economic growth with environmental and resident protections.