Pennsylvania bills would strip local governments of control over data center siting, even as the state's data center capacity is projected to grow 4,000% by 2036 — from 186 megawatts to more than 7,196 megawatts, enough to power roughly 5.4 million homes. Three bills in the legislature would centralize permitting authority at the state level, overriding municipal zoning decisions. [Read the full story →]
The IEA reports data center electricity demand surged 17% in 2025 — far outpacing global electricity demand growth of 3% — and will double by 2030. Capital spending by five major tech companies exceeded $400 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow another 75% in 2026. [Read the full story →]
PECO, Pennsylvania's largest utility serving 1.7 million ratepayers, withdrew a proposed rate increase that would have added up to $34 per month to household bills after State Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler called out utility “price gouging” and introduced legislation to cap utility profits. The CEO earned more than $15 million last year while bills rose 10–20%. [Read the full story →]
Also today: Maine moratorium awaits Gov. Mills' signature. xAI/NAACP lawsuit draws Senate investigation. Today's scan: 83 papers, 456 articles reviewed, 97 flagged.