HARRISBURG – Legislation has been introduced by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick of Berks & Montgomery Counties to prohibit foreign control of sensitive data center infrastructure in PA. Senate Bill 1442 is part of a legislative package that includes establishing a “bring-your-own-generation” requirement for large projects, demanding public meetings, protecting ratepayers from higher electric bills, requiring data centers to pay their fair share, addressing water and energy demands, and making sure residents have a real voice before any project moves forward. It also includes prohibition of nondisclosure agreements between data center developers and municipalities. Unlike Gov. Shapiro’s recent Executive Order, Senate Bill 1408 goes further by prohibiting these secrecy agreements at both the state and local levels. Pennycuick says we must remain vigilant about who owns and controls these strategically important facilities, and this legislation is an important step toward protecting PA’s interests.
SEN. TRACY PENNYCUICK