Local Oversight of Mega Data Centers' Impacts on Communities

Description

This bill requires applicants for new high energy use facilities like massive data centers to conduct site assessments on noise impacts and allows localities to require studies on water, agriculture, parks, historic sites, and forestland, while preserving existing zoning authority and exempting modest expansions. It empowers local governments and residents to understand and address the real-world impacts of large power-hungry facilities rather than rubber-stamping them under corporate pressure. CPAC supports local control and community-based scrutiny over special favors for politically connected industries and supported this bill. The Senate passed this bill on 2025-02-21 by a vote of 22-13. The Governor vetoed this bill.