ENOLA, Cumberland County – Following the overwhelming and bipartisan House passage of two bills regarding data centers and land development, David Sanko, executive Director of the state township association, PSATS, released the following statement:

            “Often, Harrisburg believes it has all the answers. But this moment is different. We commend Governor Shapiro and the House for their decisive, bipartisan action affirming a core principle: land-use decisions belong to the local officials who know their communities best.

            “These votes underscore the value of true partnership between state leaders and the local governments that serve Pennsylvanians every day. We welcome the opportunity to demonstrate that partnership and to reaffirm the importance of local decision‑making.

            “Now, we urge the Senate to move quickly, and in the same bipartisan spirit, to uphold the authority of communities to guide land use for any purpose. Local voices must remain at the center of local decisions.”

            HB 2496 gives municipalities the option to impose a 180‑day pause on data center applications while they update their land‑use ordinances. The bill was unanimously amended yesterday to make its intent unmistakable: to preserve and strengthen local authority over the siting of data centers, not to create any form of state preemption. It passed the House 201–1 with the support of PSATS.

            HB 2650 passed 134–68. The bill incorporates Gov. Shapiro’s GRID proposal and requires data center developers to meet new standards to qualify for the state sales‑tax exemption on equipment. A unanimous amendment added yesterday would require closed‑loop cooling systems to receive the tax break. The bill also strengthens provisions on noise and water mitigation, community benefits agreements, and adds enforceability language.

            Both bills are now in the Senate for consideration.

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