House passes bill allowing 180-day pause for local review of large data center proposals

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on June 24 passed House Bill 2496, which establishes a temporary pause that would give municipalities time to review and, if needed, update local ordinances before large-scale data center developments proceed.

Representative Frio, the bill’s prime sponsor, told the chamber the pause is about “protecting local control” and giving communities time to evaluate land-use, water, energy and public‑service impacts from projects that can “shape communities for decades.” Representative Gaydos and Representative Scott, both co-sponsors, described the measure as a practical tool to allow local officials to “gather the facts” and draft appropriate zoning and planning responses.

Supporters said the pause (discussed on the floor as a 180‑day “cool down” window) would let boroughs and townships review ordinances and provide meaningful resident input before developers move forward. Representative Ledbetter urged colleagues to return the same message to their districts, advising municipalities to “educate themselves” during the pause period rather than enact policy based on misinformation.

Opponents who spoke warned that limits on development could chill investment; but when the ayes and nays were taken, the House recorded 201 yeas and 1 nay, and the bill passed finally. The clerk will transmit the measure to the Senate for concurrence.

What happens next: If the Senate concurs and the bill is enacted, municipalities would gain a defined interval to examine proposed data center projects and to revise zoning or planning tools before a project proceeds. The House debate emphasized local control and the desire for additional time and information; members said related legislation addressing tax incentives and energy/community benefit requirements will proceed separately.