Data Center Community Support and Compliance Act (HB2888, PA)

Requires large data centers to submit energy, water and sustainability plans to Department of Environmental Protection; regional benefits, and noise and vibration mitigation plans, and prior to operations or expansion, a community benefit plan and agreement, to be submitted to Department of Community and Economic Development (plan highlights below). Certification of compliance from both depts required for construction and operation to commence. A list of tenants is to be supplied to both departments. Annual reports to be submitted on energy and water usage and impacts on water for other users and on compliance with community benefit plans. Annual report data is to be made public (with the opportunity to request defined exceptions). • Energy plan to include: collocated generation, % of energy from non-emitting sources, heat reuse, plan to build, bring or buy all energy required, plan to use stepped amounts of clean energy up to 32% in 2035 (alternative compliance payments required if unable to meet these goals), commitment to paying all electricity infrastructure costs due to their service. • Water plan to include: water discharges, water usage and sources, commitment to use efficiency measures, hydrogeological study and commitment to perform baseline water quality monitoring (in certain areas), • Sustainability plan to include: plan to obtain water and energy efficiency certification, commitment to minimize air pollutants via specified measures, measures to minimize impacts to wildlife habitats and work with conservation groups (in certain areas), offset increased environmental exposures or effects (in certain areas). • Noise and vibration mitigation plan to include: Documentation of compliance with local regulation or, if none exist, mitigation measures. • Community benefit plan to include: minimum $250K investment, minimum 200 jobs during construction, 50 new jobs at at at least 125% of average wage, hiring plan for recruiting and training local workers. • CBA to include: information about development, noise, vibration and lighting study and mitigations, traffic study, air quality protections, aesthetic mitigations, emergency management plan, financial contributions.