Bill > HB1834

This bill, known as the Data Center Act, establishes regulations for large load users, specifically commercial data centers, in Pennsylvania. It mandates that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) create regulations for these facilities, including requirements for deposits, contract terms, and load management during emergencies. Crucially, the bill prohibits public utilities from passing on costs directly attributable to serving a commercial data center to other ratepayers, ensuring that these large energy consumers bear their own expenses. Commercial data centers will also be required to make annual payments to a new Data Center LIHEAP Enhancement Fund, which will supplement the existing Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by providing financial aid for home energy bills, including a summer cooling component. Furthermore, any new electricity contracts with commercial data centers must ensure at least 25% of the supplied electricity comes from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power. The bill also requires public utilities to file all contracts with commercial data centers with the PUC for review, assessing their impact on the grid, ratepayers, and compliance with the act's provisions, with violations subject to penalties.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1834