Energy

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to allow local governments to temporarily halt the submission of new data center development applications. Under the new provision, a municipality can adopt a resolution at a public meeting to pause these submissions for up to 180 days, a period that begins retroactively from the date of public notice. During this pause, local authorities may update their zoning laws regarding data centers, and any applications received while the pause is in effect will be evaluated under the new rules. The legislation defines a data center as a facility primarily used for housing servers or data storage systems with specific backup power and cooling infrastructure.

HB 430 requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to block the construction or installation of wind turbines that interfere with military operations at nearby installations. This bill directly affects wind energy developers seeking permits near military bases and the DEP, which would enforce the prohibition. The key provision mandates the DEP to deny permits for turbines causing negative impacts - such as radar interference - without requiring new studies or cost-benefit analyses. It does not alter existing wind energy policies but adds a specific military safety requirement to DEP permitting decisions.

HB 362 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to authorize the Energy Development Authority to administer federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for the Solar for All Program. It directs the Authority to distribute funds for residential solar installations, storage, and upgrades to qualifying households across all Pennsylvania counties, prioritizing rural, suburban, and urban communities. The bill specifically prohibits using funds for solar panels or parts made with forced labor (defined as work performed under threat of penalty without voluntary consent) and requires the Public Utility Commission to protect non-participating ratepayers from cross-subsidization. This creates a clear administrative framework for implementing the federal program while adding labor and ratepayer safeguards.