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; in comprehensive plan, providing for comprehensive plan element for commercial data centers; and, in zoning, providing for zoning, commercial data centers and agricultural land protections and for zoning, commercial data centers, approval procedure and minimum standards.

Summary

The bill adds a definition for "commercial data center" (facilities using 25 MW or more) and requires local comprehensive plans to identify suitable sites and agricultural lands to avoid. It also sets minimum zoning standards—setbacks, buffering, noise, lighting, water use, emergency planning, and de‑commissioning—while prohibiting data centers in agricultural security areas or easements. The goal is to manage the growth of high‑power data facilities while safeguarding prime farmland.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

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