House Energy committee weighs data center bill language on decommissioning, water use and PFAS

Representative Kathleen James opened the session and asked staff to walk members through draft 1.4 of H.727, the committee's data‑center bill. She said the committee's immediate aim was to finalize what could reasonably be completed before the crossover deadline and to avoid duplicating the Act 250 siting review in the PUC contract‑approval process.

"We have 2 bills to vote out before we adjourn for the day so that we can hit our crossover deadline," Representative Kathleen James said, and asked legislative staff to lead a line‑by‑line review of the new draft.

Maria Romer reviewed the draft's changes. On contract provisions she noted the committee had removed language specifying how excess‑demand charges would be calculated and that proposed PUC decommissioning findings had been struck; instead, she described a study/recommendation process for decommissioning. "The commissioner of public service, in consultation with the secretary of natural resources, the chair of the land use review board, and any other interested stakeholders deemed appropriate by the commissioner, shall conduct a study on data center decommissioning," Romer said, citing the committee language that calls for draft legislation and recommendations by Dec. 15.

Committee members widely supported including decommissioning protections but debated the appropriate…