In order to ensure the protection of local resources, including water, sewer, electric, fiber and land, we will be introducing legislation that requires a local pre-application meeting as part of any data center development proposal submitted to a Pennsylvania municipality planning board.

Data centers represent a growing industry with the potential to bring substantial economic opportunity to the Commonwealth. However, they are also resource-intensive facilities. Without strong proactive planning and oversight, these demands can place significant strain on local infrastructure that could be detrimental to a community’s future growth. 

This legislation will require that any entity proposing a data center must:

• Submit a request to meet with the host municipality 30 days prior to a formal development application being submitted for consideration of a planning board;
• This meeting should include zoning, planning and elected officials so they will be able to make a final decision on development plans, including third party engineers and solicitors as necessary
• Share all “will-serve” letters from water, sewer, electric and fiber infrastructure organizations showing available resources dedicated to this project
• These letters should show available infrastructure at full build out of facility - not in a phased approach format. Also, they should show any impacts to local residents regarding water, sewer, electric, and fiber infrastructure. 

This approach equips local officials with the information they need to evaluate a project’s true impact and long-term viability.

Please join me in supporting this commonsense step toward sustainable data center development in Pennsylvania. If you have any questions or would like to co-sponsor, please contact my office.