Sappey data center legislation passes House

Rep. Christina Sappey October 28, 2026

HARRISBURG, Oct. 28 – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, that would address safety concerns about data centers in the state passed the PA House as part of that chamber’s fall agenda.

Last week the House adopted Sappey’s resolution (H.R. 630) that calls for a study by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to provide comprehensive information and recommendations for regulating the decommissioning of data centers at the end of their life cycles. The study would include the environmental, fiscal and local government impacts to PA communities.

“Pennsylvania lacks uniform guidance for data centers at the end of their life cycle,” Sappey said. “This lack of uniform standards leaves local municipalities physically and financially vulnerable and liable during the decommissioning process.”

A second bill introduced by Sappey to address the safety of communities that host data centers passed the House in September. That bill (H.B. 2535) would ensure first responders have the information they need to respond to potential emergencies at large-scale data centers in their communities. The bill would require floor plans, content and infrastructure inventories to be provided to local fire officials as a condition of occupancy and updated annually.

Sappey said the legislation also protects the submitted information as confidential security information.

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