Pennsylvania House Passes Key Bill to Manage Data Center Growth and Challenges

HARRISBURG, PA – Today, in a strong bipartisan vote, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB 2650, a bill that codifies the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) principles. The legislation, which now goes to the Senate, would require data center projects to demonstrate and maintain compliance with GRID to qualify for various tax benefits from the Commonwealth that currently have limited conditions for eligibility.

The following statement is from Robert Routh, Pennsylvania policy director, Climate & Energy, at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

“HB 2650 lays out a clear path forward for data center development in Pennsylvania that would better protect consumers, communities, and our electric grid. The bill ensures that any data center operator that wants to receive certain tax benefits from the Commonwealth must commit to fully paying for their energy needs by bringing all new capacity – with a preference for clean firm energy resources – and paying for all associated grid infrastructure upgrades, while also being built ‘solar ready.’

“Taken together with HB 1834, which significantly raises the floor for data centers in PA, HB 2650 would raise the ceiling and incentivize investments that will best serve Pennsylvania’s economic, consumer, and environmental interests. Now, with budget negotiations in full swing, the Senate must follow suit and deliver both bills to the Governor’s desk.”

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).