Data centers in Pennsylvania

📜 State laws

Governor's order on data centers (Executive Order 2026-05) · Aug 18, 2026
Signed August 18, 2026. It covers data centers that need more than 25 megawatts of power. The state environment agency (DEP) will not issue permits until the project has all its local zoning approvals. Developers can sign a legally binding deal with DEP to follow the governor's GRID rules: pay the full cost of new power and power lines, be open with neighbors, hire local workers, and protect water and air. Developers who do not sign wait longer and must first show any water permits. Data centers were removed from the state's 'Fast Track' permit program. State agencies under the governor may not sign secret deals (NDAs) about data centers. DEP must keep a public map of data center permits. The order does not cover towns, counties or school boards, and it is not a law passed by the legislature, so a future governor could change it. Source

GRID rules for data centers (governor's standards) · May 27, 2026
GRID stands for the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development rules. They were announced February 3, 2026, and spelled out May 27, 2026. A law firm summary says they ask developers to: get new power from nearby sources, with a rising share of clean, always-on power (10% in 2027, 14.5% in 2030, 32% in 2035); pay for power lines and hookups; say who will use the building and how much power and water it will use; hold extra public meetings; invest at least $250 million; create at least 200 construction jobs at prevailing wage and 50 permanent jobs; and negotiate community benefit agreements on traffic, noise, lighting and emergency plans. Source

New law: data centers must report energy and water use (SB 146, 2026 budget) · July 12, 2026
Passed with the state budget and signed July 12, 2026. Data centers with more than 10 megawatts of peak power must send DEP a yearly report on electricity, natural gas and water use, where the water comes from, and plans to save energy and water. The first reports are due July 1, 2027. A data center that does not report can be fined $10,000 a day. DEP will publish a yearly statewide summary. Reports also say the law lets the utility commission (PUC) ask for power-demand forecast data. This was the only data center law the legislature passed in 2026. Source

HB 1834: make data centers pay their own power costs (passed House) · March 24, 2026
Would have the PUC write rules so power companies cannot pass data center grid costs on to other customers, and would require data centers to buy a growing share of clean power (10% in 2027, 14.5% in 2030, 32% in 2035). The House passed it 104 to 95 in March 2026. It is waiting in the Senate. Source

HB 2650: turn the GRID rules into law (passed House) · June 24, 2026
Would put the governor's GRID rules into state law and make the data center sales tax break depend on following them, with yearly reports. The House passed it in June 2026 (reported vote 134 to 68). It is waiting in the Senate. Source

HB 2496: let towns pause data center applications for 180 days (passed House) · June 2026
Would let a town or township put a 6-month pause on new data center zoning applications while it writes rules. The House passed it 201 to 1. It cleared a Senate committee but has not had a full Senate vote. Source

SB 1345 / HB 2533: optional 18-month local pause (moratorium) · Sept 28, 2026
Would let towns pause both new and not-yet-approved data center applications for up to 18 months while they update zoning on power, water, noise and setbacks. SB 1345 passed two Senate committees (10 to 1, then 13 to 4) and was waiting for a final Senate vote in late September 2026. Some groups say it has too many exceptions for developers. HB 2533 is the House version. Source

SB 1359: 3-year statewide pause on big data centers (introduced) · June 2026
Would stop the siting and permitting of very large (hyperscale) data centers for three years. It was filed in June 2026 and has not had a vote. Source

HB 2359: no secret deals (NDAs) with local officials (passed House) · June 2026
Would stop data center companies from getting the sales tax break if they have a secret deal (NDA) with local officials. It would also require a 'community protection plan', public meetings, and yearly water and power reports. The House passed it 171 to 31. It is waiting in the Senate. Source

SB 1408: ban secret deals (NDAs) by state and local governments · Oct 5, 2026
Would ban any state or local government agency from signing a secret deal (NDA) about a data center. Later versions add local public hearings before approval, limits on companies controlled by certain foreign countries, and energy and water reports. It cleared the Senate Communications and Technology Committee and was re-reported with changes on October 5, 2026. No full Senate vote yet. Source

HB 2198 and HB 1667: end the data center sales tax break (not passed) · June 29, 2026
The House voted 197 to 5 for HB 2198 to repeal the data center sales tax break. The Senate voted 44 to 6 for a tax bill (HB 1667) with the same repeal, plus a ban on data centers getting Keystone Opportunity Zone property tax breaks. But the two chambers never agreed on one final bill, so the tax break is still in place. Source

Other House data center bills (2026) · Oct 1, 2026
HB 2150 (energy and water reports) became part of the budget law. HB 2151 (a state model zoning ordinance for towns) and HB 2246 (DEP permits and reports for data center water use) passed the House and wait in the Senate. On October 1, 2026, the House Energy Committee passed HB 2775 (developers must apply and pay for a power hookup before asking for zoning) and HB 2828 (data centers pay grid upgrade costs and cut power first in emergencies). HB 2674 would stop data centers from becoming 'public utilities', which could let them take land by eminent domain. Source

Governor's 'Lightning Plan' energy bills (2025) · March 11, 2025
In 2025 the governor proposed a set of energy bills called the 'Lightning Plan'. One (HB 502, introduced April 2025) would create a state board, the RESET Board, to speed up permits for new power plants and power lines. We did not find proof that these bills became law. Source

💡 Who pays for the power

PUC 'model rules' for power hookups to data centers · May 13, 2026
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) voted 5 to 0 on April 30, 2026, and released its final order May 12-13, 2026 (case M-2025-3054271). It covers customers over 50 megawatts, or 100 megawatts for a group of nearby buildings. The idea: if an upgrade would not be needed 'but for' the data center, the data center pays for it. A law firm summary lists: pay at least 80% of the power it signed up for each month; a contract of at least 5 years after a 3-5 year ramp-up; money held as a deposit to cover grid costs; an exit fee if it leaves early; and $250,000 to $1,000,000 a year toward help programs for low-income customers. These are guidelines, not binding rules. Each power company must still file its own rules with the PUC. Source

PUC public hearing on data centers (April 2025) · April 2025
In late April 2025, the PUC held a special hearing with all commissioners (an 'en banc' hearing) on how to hook up data centers and other very large power users, and how they should pay. Groups with a stake in the issue gave testimony. This hearing led to the PUC's 2026 model rules. Source

PPL rate increase and new data center customer class (2026) · June 4, 2026
On June 4, 2026, the PUC voted 5 to 0 to approve a settled PPL rate increase starting July 1, 2026. One report says a typical home bill rises about $7 a month, from $177.01 to $184.49 (another report says about $6.48). PPL had asked for more. The deal creates a new rate class for customers using 50 megawatts or more (like data centers) that must pay the costs of serving them, with contracts of at least 10 years. Starting in 2027, these large customers will pay $11 million a year toward help for low-income customers. PPL cannot file another base rate case for two years. Source

PECO asks for a rate increase partly to serve data centers (pending) · March 30, 2026
On March 30, 2026, PECO asked the PUC for $429 million more a year for its electric system and $81 million for gas, starting in 2027. PECO says a typical home electric bill would rise $20.08 a month (12.5%). PECO said upgrades are needed in part for growing AI data centers. The PUC has not decided. You can comment on this case at the PUC. Source

Why supply prices jumped: the regional power auction (PJM) · July 14, 2026
PJM runs the power grid for Pennsylvania and 12 other states. Each year it holds an auction to pay power plants to be ready for peak days. The price went from about $29 per megawatt-day (2024-25) to $269.92 (2025-26), then hit a price cap: $329.17 (2026-27), $333.44 (2027-28) and $325 (2028-29). The cap came from a deal PJM made with the governors of its states, approved by federal regulators. The last two auctions still came up short of the power PJM says it needs (6,831 megawatts short for 2028-29). PJM's independent market monitor says data centers caused $29.4 billion, or 46%, of auction costs over the last four auctions. These costs show up in the 'supply' or 'generation' part of your bill. Source

Supply price changes on June 1, 2025 · June 1, 2025
On June 1, 2025, the 'price to compare' (the supply price if you have not picked a supplier) went up about 12.6% for PECO, about 16% for PPL (to 12.49 cents per kilowatt-hour), and about 8% for Met-Ed. Duquesne Light's went up over 15%, from 8.45 to 9.71 cents, or about $9 a month for a typical home. These jumps followed the record 2025-26 PJM auction price. Source

Supply price changes on June 1, 2026 · June 1, 2026
On June 1, 2026, the price to compare changed again (cents per kilowatt-hour, for homes): Met-Ed 12.97 to about 13.95 (+7.6%); Penelec 11.75 to about 13.14 (+11.9%); Penn Power 12.61 to about 13.48 (+6.9%); West Penn Power 10.95 to about 12.08 (+10.3%); PPL 12.95 to 13.15 (+1.5%); Duquesne Light to 14.14 (+2.8%). PECO said its price to compare rose to 11.76 cents and a typical home bill rose $4.94 a month (3.1%). These numbers come from news and price-comparison sites; check your own bill or PAPowerSwitch for your exact price. Source

Governor asks PUC: data centers first in line to be cut in emergencies · Aug 18, 2026
The governor's August 2026 order tells his energy lawyer to push the PUC for rules so that, in a power emergency, data centers are cut off before homes unless they brought their own new power. It also asks that data centers, not other customers, pay for PJM's emergency 'backstop' power purchase, even if a data center goes broke. These are requests; the PUC decides. Source

Office of Consumer Advocate: your lawyer at the PUC · Oct 6, 2026
The Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) is a state office, set up in 1976, that represents home utility customers in PUC rate cases, at federal regulators, and in court. It works on electric, gas, water and phone cases, including data center cost cases. You can call it toll-free at 1-800-684-6560 or email consumer@paoca.org. Source

💵 Tax breaks

Sales tax break on data center computers and equipment · Jan 1, 2022
Pennsylvania's 6% sales tax does not apply to computer equipment bought for a certified data center. The program was created by Act 84 of 2016 as a refund and changed by Act 13 of 2019 and Act 25 of 2021. Since January 1, 2022, it is a full exemption. To qualify, a data center must invest at least $75 million and create 25 jobs in a county with 250,000 people or fewer, or $100 million and 45 jobs in a bigger county, and pay at least $1 million a year in wages. The state expects it to cost $188.4 million in 2026-27, growing to about $517 million a year by 2030-31, or about $2 billion total by mid-2031. As of August 2026, 14 data center sites held a certificate. Source

New tax break applicants must follow GRID rules · Aug 18, 2026
Under the governor's August 2026 order, the Department of Revenue must make anyone who applies for the sales tax break on or after August 18, 2026, follow the GRID rules. Bills to repeal the tax break passed the House and the Senate in different forms in 2026, but none became law. Source

Local property tax breaks (KOZ and others) · June 2026
Data centers may also seek local property tax breaks, such as a Keystone Opportunity Zone, which can waive property taxes for 10 years or more. A 2026 Senate tax bill would have banned this for data centers, but it did not become law. Ask your county, town and school district if any tax break or payment deal (PILOT) has been offered. Source

🤐 Secret deals and public records

Secret deals (NDAs): what is and is not banned · Aug 18, 2026
Since August 18, 2026, state agencies under the governor may not sign secret deals (NDAs) about data centers. This does not cover towns, townships, counties, school boards, water authorities or private landowners. Bills to ban local NDAs (HB 2359 and SB 1408) have not become law. You can ask your local government, in writing, whether it signed an NDA and for a copy. Source

Right-to-Know Law: how to get public records · 2008
Under Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, any legal resident of the United States can ask a state or local agency for records. You do not have to say why. The agency must answer within 5 business days. It can take up to 30 more calendar days if it says why (for example, legal review). If it does not answer in time, that counts as a denial. Agencies may charge only for copies and postage, not for staff time to review records. Source

If your records request is denied · 2008
You can appeal to the state Office of Open Records within 15 business days of a denial (or a 'deemed' denial when the agency does not answer). Requests to the legislature and courts have their own appeal rules. After the Office of Open Records decides, either side can go to court within 30 days (Commonwealth Court for state agencies, county court for local agencies). Source

Sunshine Act: public meetings · 2021
Town councils, township supervisors, school boards and authorities must vote in public meetings that are announced ahead of time. Since a 2021 change (Act 65), they must post the agenda at least 24 hours before the meeting. You have a right to comment at public meetings. Closed-door 'executive sessions' are allowed only for reasons the law lists. Source

State map of data center permits · Sept 2026
DEP runs a public map of data center projects that have contacted DEP or the Department of Revenue, with their permit stage. In September 2026 the governor's office counted 100+ data centers reported by the public, 20 in active state permitting and 5 with first-phase permits. Source

💧 Water

Susquehanna River Basin Commission (central PA) · 2026
In the Susquehanna River basin (much of central and northeast PA), a project needs approval from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) if it uses up (evaporates or consumes) 20,000 gallons a day or more on average over 30 days, or takes 100,000 gallons a day or more from a well or stream. This applies even if the data center buys water from a public water system. As of early 2026, SRBC had approved only one large data center (Amazon Web Services in Salem Township). SRBC posts applications in its online viewer, holds public hearings about a month before its quarterly meetings, and takes written comments for 10 days after a hearing. Source

Delaware River Basin Commission (eastern PA) · 2026
In the Delaware River basin (Philadelphia area, Lehigh Valley, Poconos), the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) must review projects that take more than 100,000 gallons a day on average over 30 days, or discharge more than 50,000 gallons a day of wastewater (10,000 in some protected waters). DRBC lists projects to be heard at public hearings; you can sign up for email alerts. Source

DEP and water (western PA and everywhere) · Aug 18, 2026
Western PA (the Ohio River basin, including Pittsburgh) has no river basin commission. There, DEP permits for wastewater discharges and stormwater are the main state checks. Under the governor's order, data centers that do not sign a GRID deal must show their water approvals before DEP even starts reviewing other permits. Starting July 1, 2027, data centers over 10 megawatts must report yearly water use to DEP. A House bill (HB 2246) for a special DEP data center water permit has not passed the Senate. Source

🌫️ Air and generators

DEP air permits for backup generators and gas turbines · 2026
In Pennsylvania, you may not build a new source of air pollution, such as diesel backup generators or a gas power plant, without DEP approval first. This first approval is called a 'plan approval'. Small burners (2.5 million BTU per hour or less) are exempt. DEP must print a notice of each plan approval application in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and anyone can send comments for 30 days after it is published. Bigger plants may also need a federal-level operating permit (Title V). In Allegheny County, the county Health Department also handles air permits; Philadelphia has its own city air program (check locally). Source

State is reviewing rules for data center generators · Aug 18, 2026
The governor's August 2026 order tells DEP to study whether backup generator rules need cleaner technology, whether they count the combined pollution from many generators at one site or nearby sites, and what happens when generators run to help the grid. GRID projects must use zero-emission batteries or backup power that meets the rules. No new rule has been proposed yet. Source

🙋 How to have your say

Who decides a data center in your town · 2022
Pennsylvania zoning follows a state law called the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC). Your elected council or supervisors (the 'governing body') decide rezonings, zoning law changes, conditional uses and land development plans. A separate zoning hearing board decides variances, special exceptions, appeals of the zoning officer, and most challenges to the zoning law. Find out which one handles your project: ask the municipal office or read the public notice. Source

Hearings: become a 'party' so you can appeal · 2022
Zoning hearings must be publicly advertised, and a notice must be posted on the land at least one week before. At the hearing, 'parties' are the town, anyone affected who makes a timely appearance on the record, and others the board allows, including community groups. Sign in as a party (some boards use a written form). Parties can have a lawyer, present evidence, and question the developer's witnesses. Usually only parties can appeal later. A written decision is due within 45 days after the last hearing. Source

Appeal deadline: 30 days · 2022
An appeal of a zoning or conditional use decision goes to the county Court of Common Pleas and must be filed within 30 days after the decision is entered. Courts apply this deadline strictly. To challenge an approval before the zoning hearing board, you generally also have 30 days. Owners or tenants of the affected land can join (intervene in) an appeal within 30 days after it is filed. A judge can make people who appeal post a bond if the appeal is found frivolous. Source

Watch for 'curative amendments' · 2022
A landowner or developer who says a zoning law unfairly blocks a use can file a 'curative amendment' with the governing body, which must start a hearing within 60 days. This can be used when a town's zoning has no place for data centers. Towns that adopt data center rules can lower this risk. Watch public notices for these hearings. Source

Local approval now comes before state permits · Aug 18, 2026
Under the governor's order, DEP will not issue permits for a data center over 25 megawatts until the project shows it fits the local comprehensive plan and has all local zoning and land development approvals. That makes your local hearing the first and most important place to speak up. Source

How to file a Right-to-Know request · 2008
1) Find the agency's open records officer (on its website or ask the office). 2) Send a written request by email, mail, fax or in person. The Office of Open Records has a standard request form. 3) Describe the records clearly, for example: 'all NDAs, letters and emails with [company] about a data center, January 2025 to today.' 4) You must be a legal US resident; you do not have to say why you want them. 5) Mark your calendar: answer due in 5 business days, or up to 30 more days if the agency extends. 6) If denied, appeal to the Office of Open Records within 15 business days. Source

How to speak up at the utility commission (PUC) · 2026
Rate cases (like PECO's 2026 request) and data center power rules are decided at the PUC. Look up the case number on the PUC website. You can send a written comment to the case, speak at a public input hearing if one is held, or file a formal complaint to become a party. The Office of Consumer Advocate represents home customers in these cases and can tell you about hearings (1-800-684-6560). Source

How to comment on state and river basin permits · 2026
DEP air plan approvals are announced in the Pennsylvania Bulletin with a 30-day comment period. Check DEP's data center permit map to see which permits a project has applied for. For water use, SRBC and DRBC hold public hearings; SRBC takes written comments up to 10 days after its hearing. The governor's office also has an online form to share data center concerns. Source

🧾 Help with your bills

LIHEAP heating help · Nov 2, 2026
A one-time cash grant of $200 to $1,000, paid straight to your utility or fuel company. The 2025-26 season ran December 3, 2025, to May 8, 2026. The 2026-27 season is scheduled to open November 2, 2026. Income limits (2025-26): $23,940 a year for 1 person, $49,500 for 4, plus $8,520 for each extra person. Apply online at COMPASS, call 1-866-857-7095, or visit your County Assistance Office. Source

LIHEAP crisis grants (emergencies) · 2026
Extra help if your heat is shut off or about to be, you are almost out of fuel (less than 15 days), or your heater is broken. Help comes within 10 business days, faster in a life-threatening emergency. If you already got LIHEAP this season, call your County Assistance Office. Source

Your utility's Customer Assistance Program (CAP) and other help · 2026
Each big Pennsylvania electric company has a low-income Customer Assistance Program (CAP) that lowers your monthly bill based on your income, plus hardship funds and free home energy-saving work. Call the number on your bill and ask for 'CAP', 'hardship fund' or 'low-income usage reduction'. Under PPL's 2026 settlement, the $14 reconnection fee is waived for customers at or below 150% of the poverty line, and data centers will pay $11 million a year toward low-income help starting in 2027. Source

Dollar Energy Fund hardship grants · 2026
A nonprofit that gives grants toward utility bills. It partners with Duquesne Light, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, West Penn Power, Citizens' Electric, Columbia Gas, Peoples, and several water companies. Contact your utility first, then apply online or through a local agency. You need proof of income and a copy of your bill. Phone: 1-888-282-6816. Source

Free home weatherization (WAP) · 2026
The state's Weatherization Assistance Program pays for air sealing, insulation, heating system repair or replacement, and safety fixes. The average job is about $8,547 per home. Older adults, people with disabilities, families with children and high energy users get priority. Renters can apply with landlord permission. Apply through the weatherization agency for your county; expect a waitlist. Source

Shop for a lower supply price (PAPowerSwitch) · 2026
PAPowerSwitch is the PUC's official site to compare your utility's 'price to compare' with offers from other suppliers. Enter your ZIP code. A fixed-price contract can protect you from June and December price jumps, but read the end date and any cancel fee. Be careful with 'variable' prices, which can rise a lot. Source

📞 Who to contact

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) · Oct 6, 2026
Sets electric, gas and water rates and the rules for hooking up data centers. Takes comments and complaints about utilities. Source

Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) · Oct 6, 2026
Represents home utility customers at the PUC and in court. Toll-free 1-800-684-6560; consumer@paoca.org. Source

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) · Oct 6, 2026
Issues air, water discharge and stormwater permits. Runs the data center permit map and will collect yearly energy and water reports. Source

DEP Air Quality Permits Division · Oct 6, 2026
Air permits for generators, turbines and power plants. Phone 717-787-9702; RA-EPAir@pa.gov. Source

Office of Open Records (OOR) · Oct 6, 2026
Hears appeals when an agency denies a Right-to-Know request. Has standard request and appeal forms. Source

Department of Revenue - data center tax break · Oct 6, 2026
Runs the data center sales tax exemption. Office of Economic Development: 717-772-3896; ra-rv-datacenter@pa.gov. Source

Governor's data center page and feedback form · Oct 6, 2026
The governor's order, GRID rules, permit map, and an online form to share data center concerns. Source

Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) · Oct 6, 2026
Approves large water use in the Susquehanna basin. Search applications in its WAAV viewer. Source

Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) · Oct 6, 2026
Reviews large water use and discharges in the Delaware basin. Sign up for hearing alerts. Source

Department of Human Services - LIHEAP · Oct 6, 2026
Heating bill grants and crisis help. Hotline 1-866-857-7095. Source

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) · Oct 6, 2026
Runs weatherization help and must publish best practices for local data center zoning and community benefit agreements under the governor's order. Source

Pennsylvania General Assembly · Oct 6, 2026
Look up bills (like SB 1345, HB 2359, SB 1408) and find your state senator and representative. Source