Pennsylvania is facing a simple but consequential question as massive data centers seek to connect to our electric grid: Who pays for the infrastructure needed to serve them?
 
The answer should be equally simple: the companies creating the new demand should bear the costs of the new infrastructure.
 
Pennsylvania families and small businesses should not see their utility bills rise because the wealthiest for-profit corporations in the world want access to enormous amounts of electricity. If a data center needs new generation, transmission, distribution or other infrastructure, the developer -- not ordinary ratepayers, should pay. Specifically, my legislation will:

1) Require electric utility companies to adopt the Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) model large load tariff, preventing utility customers from paying one additional dime for data center’s energy needs.

2) Require data centers to shut down operations during grid emergencies before homes and businesses are left in the dark.

3) Make sure data centers do not cut corners or avoid its obligations during grid emergencies, unless they bring their own power.

As members of the General Assembly, we have a responsibility to ensure that growth in the data center industry does not come at the expense of Pennsylvania’s seniors who are living on a fixed income and working families and low-income households who are already facing rising utility costs. Currently, one in five Pennsylvanians are struggling to keep the lights on. It’s time we act to hold data center developers accountable, make energy affordable, and prevent residents of this Commonwealth from subsidizing  multinational for-profit corporations.
 
I hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this important, commonsense legislation to protect consumers and keep costs down for everyone in the Commonwealth.