SB 1345 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in zoning, providing for optional temporary moratorium on acceptance or consideration of new applications for high impact data centers.

This bill allows Pennsylvania municipalities to temporarily pause the review of new applications for high-impact data centers, which are defined by their significant electrical power usage. Under the new rules, local governments can impose a moratorium lasting up to 18 months to conduct studies on infrastructure capacity, public safety, and environmental impacts before approving such facilities. The measure is optional and does not affect existing data centers or other types of development, but it requires municipalities to hold public hearings and make reasonable progress on planning activities during the pause. Additionally, the bill provides a process for applicants to request waivers if strict enforcement would cause unique hardship, ensuring that the pause serves as a planning tool rather than a permanent ban.

Issues: ✗ Technology

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jun 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jun 4, 2026 Last action Jul 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN1766 → Printer's No. PN1889 · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the moratorium on high-impact data centers from a simple filing ban to a ban on both filing and 'acceptance' of applications, preventing municipalities from delaying the process by simply not putting items on meeting agendas. The changes also clarify that the moratorium applies to existing agreements between data centers and power facilities, protect previously approved permits, and require specific findings to justify the moratorium.

Scope change

The scope of the moratorium was broadened to cover the entire application lifecycle, including the administrative act of accepting an application for review, and explicitly included projects tied to existing power generation facilities.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the moratorium to prohibit not just the filing of applications, but also the 'acceptance' of applications, preventing municipalities from bypassing the ban by keeping applications off meeting agendas.

Required the moratorium resolution to include specific findings supporting its necessity and its relationship to planning activities.

Added a provision stating that ordinances adopted during the moratorium cannot take effect until after the moratorium expires.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions for applications that have already entered into an agreement with a power generation facility to supply energy to the data center.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'Power Generation Facility' to clarify which existing energy projects are covered by the new exemptions.

Expanded the definition of 'Data Center' to include facilities with uninterruptible power supply or generator backup, cooling towers, and temperature control infrastructure.

TIMELINE

Clarified that the moratorium duration is retroactive to the date of public notice and cannot exceed 18 months.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jul 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Re-reported as amended

upper

Jun 30, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Rules & Executive Nominations

upper

Jun 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported as committed

upper

Jun 4, 2026

Committee

Referred to Local Government

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors