Nelson, Mullens, Barton Announce Accelerated Data Center Permitting Legislation
HARRISBURG – State Reps. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland), Kyle Mullens (D-Lackawanna) and Jamie Barton (R-Berks & Schuylkill) announced
plans to introduce legislation creating accelerated data center permitting.
“Our legislation directs the PA Department of Environmental Protection to generate approved earthwork, stormwater and air permits to developers who commit to improved environmental outcomes by meeting, or exceeding, design standards,” Nelson said. “Our accelerated permit will enable simultaneous pursuit of additional permits and processes like Highway Occupancy Permits, Environmental Justice Permits, land use approvals and other complicated hurdles which can considerably delay project approval. We need to be faster.”
The legislative initiative is supported by leaders in Pennsylvania’s energy industry, economic development groups and skilled labor unions.
“This proposed accelerated permitting law offers superior protections to both the environment and developer and will allow us to compete and capture billions of dollars in private investment in our state and take advantage of our unique natural resources to become an energy and data center powerhouse,” said Jeff Nobers, executive director of Pittsburgh Works Together. “This approach should receive bipartisan support. We need to end the permitting bureaucracy and the delays it creates which have long been issues that prevent Pennsylvania from competing against other states, including neighbors Ohio and West Virginia.”
“Faster permits can equal cleaner air and water,” said Mullins. “Simultaneous pursuit of much-needed parallel permitting welcomes investment and ensures responsible development. Our legislation grants air permits, earthwork permits and stormwater approval at the time of paid application and holds the generator accountable for meeting, or exceeding, federal air emissions and design standards.”
This legislation comes on the heels of a recent announcement of a
$10 billion investment in Indiana County to build the nation's largest natural gas plant with plans to serve the residential grid and multiple large data centers.
“Data centers provide a significant opportunity for the Commonwealth to be a leader in the data and information economy, and to benefit from the significant capital investment and jobs associated with their construction and operation,” said Jim Welty, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition. “Natural gas operators are ready, willing and able to provide the abundant, clean and affordable energy these centers will need. We are pleased to see this bipartisan effort aimed at having government move at the speed of business, while ensuring appropriate environmental protections are in place.”
“The path is clear, better environmental outcomes can be achieved when developers are empowered to innovate, design and implement advanced techniques to increase field performance,” said Barton. “Engineers, and artificial intelligence, can pre-determine specific air emissions generated from multiple-sized power plants. If engineering stamps and site designs meet or exceed federal limits, there is no need to wait for a multi-year Department of Environmental Protection review.”
Nelson, Mullins and Barton are hopeful this legislation will be acted upon quickly, and plan to introduce the legislation in the coming weeks.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Charlie O’Neill
717.787.1711
coneill@pahousegop.com