An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, providing for pause on data center proposals.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Borowski and 43 co-sponsors

PAUSE: The bill would temporarily halt zoning approvals for data center proposals to give local governments time to study impacts and update regulations.

Re-referred to Rules & Executive Nominations

Overview

Bill: HB 2496

Session: 2025-2026

Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania

Title: An Act amending the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (PMPC), in zoning, providing for pause on data center proposals

Prime Sponsor: Rep. Paul Friel

Key idea: Impose a pause or temporary hold on zoning approvals or consideration for data center proposals, to allow study, study period, or revision of zoning policies related to such facilities.

Purpose and intent

Create a temporary pause in the zoning consideration process for data center projects.

The pause is intended to provide time for local governments and stakeholders to study the impacts, review current zoning provisions, and potentially update or tighten regulations related to data centers (commonly high-electricity usage, infrastructure demands, environmental and community effects).

Key provisions (as described)

Amend the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, specifically the zoning provisions, to establish a pause on data center proposals.

The text indicates a mechanism to suspend or delay the processing of zoning approvals or other regulatory actions on data center projects for a defined period (the exact duration would be specified in the bill’s full text).

The bill is designed to apply to municipalities governed by the PMPC and would affect how planning commissions, zoning hearing boards, and local governments handle data center proposals during the pause.

Who/what would be affected

Local governments (cities, boroughs, townships) operating under the PMPC that review and approve zoning for development projects.

Data center developers and proponents seeking zoning approvals.

Communities hosting or near data center projects, including residents and local stakeholders who rely on local planning processes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Referred to Local Government committee as of May 8, 2026.

The bill’s progress would depend on committee action, potential amendments, and eventual floor votes in the House, with possible Senate consideration.

The enacted pause would precede further regulatory work, possibly including studies, updated zoning standards, or new guidelines for data centers.

Additional context

The bill has a broad group of co-sponsors from the Democratic caucus, indicating cross-district interest in addressing the regulatory approach to data centers.

Related legislative activity exists around data centers and zoning in Pennsylvania, but HB 2496 specifically focuses on creating a pause within the PMPC framework.

Potential implications

Short-term: Controls or slows the issuance of zoning approvals for data centers, giving municipalities time to evaluate impacts and update policies.

Medium-to-long term: Depending on the duration and conditions of the pause, local governments may adopt more stringent data center siting standards, energy-use considerations, infrastructure requirements, or setback/oakland-based regulations.

Economic and community effects will hinge on how the pause interacts with project timelines and the robustness of ensuing zoning updates.

Note: For a complete understanding, reviewing the bill’s full text would clarify the exact pause duration, scope (which types of data center proposals are covered), applicability (uniform statewide vs. municipality-specific rules), and any exceptions or sunset provisions.