HARRISBURG – A package of bills have been introduced in the PA House & Senate by Sen. Jarrett Coleman of Bucks & Lehigh Counties and Luzerne County Rep. Jamie Walsh which would repeal the tax break being given to data centers to locate in PA and allow municipalities to place a moratorium on data center development applications. The lawmakers say the proliferation of data centers in the state is extremely concerning because of their massive energy use, water use, and noise output. Their Senate Bill 1344 and House Bill 2532 would repeal the state Computer Data Center Equipment Exemption program, which incentivizes data centers to locate in PA by exempting computer data center equipment from the Sales and Use Tax. Senate Bill 1345 and House Bill 2533 would give municipalities the option of placing an 18-month moratorium on both unapproved and new data center applications so they can revise zoning ordinances and establish policies addressing issues like power supply, water consumption, noise, and setbacks which they determine protect the community’s interests.
REP. JAMIE WALSH
SEN. JARRETT COLEMAN