HARRISBURG – Legislation creating a regulatory framework for data centers in PA has passed the state House. PA has become a site of interest for widespread data center development, yet the Commonwealth currently has no statewide standards for data centers and lacks oversight of these facilities. House Bill 1834 would prohibit utilities from shifting costs related to data centers onto regular ratepayers, meaning families and small businesses are shielded from subsidizing Big Tech’s build out. Data centers would need to cover the full cost of grid upgrades, transmission, and reliability needs. They would also be required to contribute to a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Enhancement Account and that increasing amounts of the electricity supplied to data centers come from new in-state renewable sources like wind and solar paired with battery storage. The bill goes to the PA Senate.
