Massachusetts voters could gain the final say on data centers under new petition

Massachusetts needs a data-center strategy, not a series of permits

MASSACHUSETTS HAS PAUSED applications for its data-center sales-tax exemption while the Healey administration develops stronger protections for ratepayers, public health, water, air quality, and the environment. The state should use that pause to do more than improve a permitting checklist. Massachusetts should decide what role data centers will play in its energy, climate, economic-development, and environmental-justice future—and what these ex…

Massachusetts voters could gain the final say on data centers under new petition

Massachusetts voters could eventually get a direct say over whether new data centers can open in their communities, according to Ballotpedia. A newly filed initiative petition would block local permitting agencies from approving those projects unless developers first meet electricity- and water-related safeguards and gain local voters' approval. Here's what to know Ballotpedia reported that a Massachusetts resident submitted the initiative petit…