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Mass. Gov. Healey Issues Orders Regulating Data Center Development
The governor is expected to outline new rules as Massachusetts weighs data center jobs, investment and energy use.
- On Tuesday, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order requiring new data centers to earn local community approval before seeking state permits, giving residents a voice in future development decisions.
- Local pushback has led Lowell, Holyoke, and Westfield to enact moratoriums over concerns regarding electricity consumption, water usage, and pollution, with Massachusetts hosting roughly 50 data centers.
- Projects exceeding 25 megawatts must demonstrate compliance with state guidelines, including funding clean energy infrastructure and signing community benefits agreements, while the order prohibits using non-disclosure agreements during approval.
- The executive order establishes a 'Ratepayer Protection Fund' that collects payments from data centers failing to cover their own energy supply costs, returning money to customers.
- Healey, currently seeking reelection, previously suspended sales tax exemption applications for these projects, maintaining that while facilities can 'strengthen the Commonwealth's innovation economy,' they must ensure local accountability.
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Lodinews.comMass. Gov. Maura Healey signs executive order requiring local approval for data center development
Data center developers eyeing Massachusetts as a potential base of operations may be advised to cozy up to local municipal officials after Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order requiring local approval before state permitting can begin.
Healey signs order requiring data centers to receive local approval - Boston News, Weather, Sports
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Tuesday signed an Executive Order requiring data centers to receive local approval before seeking state permits, pay for their own clean...
·Boston, United States
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Total News Sources23
Leaning Left5Leaning Right0Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Center
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources are Center
71% Center
L 29%
C 71%
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