Energy

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 1358: An Act amending the act of July 25, 1961 (P.L.825, No.359), known as the Oil and Gas Conservation Law, further providing for drilling permits.

This bill requires oil and gas well operators in Pennsylvania to obtain a specific drilling permit before drilling wells that target the Utica shale formation or reach depths of 3,800 feet or more. The permit application process will follow existing state regulations for resource development, adding a new layer of administrative review for these specific deep-drilling projects. Directly affecting energy companies and land operators, the law mandates compliance with these permitting rules before any drilling begins in the designated geological horizons. The legislation takes effect 60 days after it is signed into law.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill adds administrative barriers to oil and gas drilling in deep formations, restricting energy production.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 2588: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in zoning, further providing for ordinance provisions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to restrict where large data centers can be built. It specifically prohibits municipalities from allowing hyperscale data centers, which cover more than five acres, in areas designated for agriculture unless they are allowed in every district within that community. Additionally, the law bans data centers on agricultural land if at least half of the property consists of prime agricultural soil or land rated as fourth class by the USDA. Local governments will need to update their zoning ordinances to comply with these new definitions and restrictions on data center development.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts data center construction on agricultural land, limiting potential energy infrastructure development and opposing expansion of energy-intensive facilities.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill protects prime agricultural soil and restricts large data centers on farmland, preserving natural resources and reducing potential environmental degradation.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts where large data centers can be built, limiting infrastructure expansion and potentially hindering technology growth.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 1359: An Act imposing a Statewide moratorium on hyperscale data center development and permitting; and providing for enforcement.

This bill imposes a three-year statewide ban on approving or building new hyperscale data centers in Pennsylvania. It directly affects large-scale data facilities by halting permits for any new construction, expansions that would create hyperscale centers, and the necessary power or transmission infrastructure required to support them. The law defines hyperscale data centers as facilities with significant electricity demand, ranging from one megawatt to twenty megawatts depending on the local grid size, and prohibits state and local governments from issuing any related approvals during the moratorium period.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill imposes a moratorium on hyperscale data centers, restricting energy infrastructure development and limiting demand for power generation.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts data center development, which limits renewable energy adoption and clean tech growth, potentially weakening environmental progress.75% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes a moratorium on hyperscale data centers, restricting infrastructure development and limiting technology expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transmission

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 30, 2026

HB 2496: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, providing for pause on data center proposals.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill allows municipalities to pause data center development, which restricts energy infrastructure growth and limits renewable energy adoption.75% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill allows municipalities to pause data center proposals, restricting development and limiting infrastructure growth.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Resilience Tags Local Government

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 1129: An Act amending the act of December 10, 1974 (P.L.852, No.287), referred to as the Underground Utility Line Protection Law, further providing for definitions.

SB 1129 amends Pennsylvania's Underground Utility Line Protection Law by updating the definition of "line" or "facility" to explicitly include unconventional oil and gas well production lines, gathering lines, and steam pipelines in public rights-of-way. It clarifies that these additions apply regardless of land ownership or easements, while specifying that stripper well lines are excluded unless they meet specific federal pipeline safety standards. The bill directly affects utility companies, construction crews, and excavation workers who must follow damage prevention rules for underground infrastructure. This definition update ensures clearer coverage for modern utility systems during excavation projects.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly includes oil/gas infrastructure in utility protections, favoring fossil fuel development over renewable energy initiatives per its definition updates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 1595: An Act providing for the abrogation of regulations relating to the Pennsylvania Heavy-Duty Diesel Emissions Control Program and for the applicability of Federal standards.

HB 1595 removes Pennsylvania's state-specific regulations for heavy-duty diesel vehicle emissions (25 Pa. Code Ch. 126 Subch. E) and replaces them with federal standards. It directly affects heavy-duty diesel vehicle owners, operators, and manufacturers in Pennsylvania who previously had to comply with the state's emissions control program. The bill's key mechanism is the immediate abrogation of Pennsylvania's program, making federal emissions standards the only applicable requirement for these vehicles in the state. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill removes Pennsylvania's stricter diesel emissions regulations, replacing them with federal standards which are typically less stringent, weakening state-level clean energy/environmental standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves Pennsylvania's stricter emissions regulations, replacing them with federal standards that are typically less stringent, weakening environmental protections for diesel vehicles.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRemoves Pennsylvania's stricter emissions regulations for heavy-duty diesel vehicles, replacing them with federal standards, weakening state-level transportation environmental requirements.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 574: An Act amending Title 15 (Corporations and Unincorporated Associations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in corporate powers, duties and safeguards, further providing for additional powers of certain public utility corporations.

SB 574 restricts public utility corporations (like gas, electric, or telecom companies) from condemning residential properties or their immediate surrounding areas within 100 meters for infrastructure projects, except for petroleum pipeline projects. It requires these utilities to first obtain approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission after a public hearing, proving the project is necessary for public safety, convenience, or service. This bill directly affects utility companies seeking to expand infrastructure and homeowners near proposed utility lines or pipelines.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRestricts utility infrastructure projects except petroleum pipelines, favoring fossil fuel infrastructure over renewable alternatives.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts utility condemnation of residential properties within 100m, protecting property rights and preventing displacement from infrastructure projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Utility Regulation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 15, 2025

SB 970: An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for well permits.

SB 970 bans the use of oil and gas wells for injecting fluids produced during extraction (like wastewater) for disposal or storage. It prohibits the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection from issuing permits for such wells and directly affects oil and gas operators seeking to use this disposal method. The bill also allows residents living or owning property within five miles of a violating well, or businesses operating within that radius, to sue in local court for violations. Courts can award damages, attorney fees, and court orders to stop the violations. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts oil and gas well wastewater disposal, directly limiting a fossil fuel production practice under energy production regulations.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans oil/gas wastewater injection disposal, prohibits DEP permits, enables lawsuits to prevent pollution - strengthens environmental protections95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 430: An Act imposing the duty on Department of Environmental Protection to prohibit the construction or installation of wind turbines that negatively affect military installations.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBlocks wind turbine construction near military bases, directly restricting renewable energy development per bill's mandate to prohibit permits causing radar interference.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits wind turbine installations near military bases, restricting renewable energy development. Wind energy is a key environmental protection measure, so this bill limits such development, indicating an 'oppose' stance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 453: An Act amending Title 58 (Oil and Gas) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in development, further providing for relationship to solid waste and surface mining.

SB 453 amends Pennsylvania's oil and gas regulations to clarify that operators meet solid waste and surface mining requirements when they follow standard oil and gas permitting, bonding, and compliance procedures. Specifically, it states that if an oil and gas well operator has a valid permit or registration under state oil and gas laws, has posted the required bond, and maintains environmental compliance, they are deemed to satisfy obligations under the Solid Waste Management Act and Noncoal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act for waste disposal and surface mining related to their well site. This bill directly affects oil and gas companies operating in Pennsylvania by reducing regulatory overlap for waste and mining activities tied to well operations. The changes take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill streamlines oil and gas regulations, favoring fossil fuel production over renewables per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas

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