House committee passes bills to set guiderails on data center development

HARRISBURG – Two bills proponents say will help communities safeguard against the detriments of data center development moved out of committee this week.

House Bill 2150 and House Bill 2151 passed 14-12 out of the House Energy Committee in Harrisburg.

Proponents say the bills address transparency and accountability with data centers for the communities they are moving into and would ensure that municipal governments have appropriate tools to create their local ordinances to protect their neighborhoods.

House Bill 2150, sponsored by Rep. Kyle Mullins (D-Lackawanna), would require data center developers and end users to report energy and water usage to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

“While we have heard about the opportunities associated with data centers, we must be prepared to address their impact on Pennsylvania’s infrastructure, resources, and local communities,” Mullins said in his co-sponsorship memo. “Appropriate guardrails can only be applied to this growing industry if residents and policymakers alike have an unrestricted view into data center development and operation.”

House Bill 2151 would encourage local municipalities to include provisions for sound barriers, setbacks, building design standards, and more in their zoning ordinances. That bill is sponsored by Rep. Kyle Donahue (D-Lackawanna).

Both bills move to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home. She is a 12-time Keystone Media Award winner, a PAB Excellence in Broadcasting award winner, and has been nominated for a Mid-Atlantic Emmy award.

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