Walsh Introduces Legislation Addressing Data Center Growth in PA
State Rep. Jamie Walsh (R-Luzerne) is introducing a package of bills aimed at addressing growing concerns surrounding the rapid expansion of large data centers in Luzerne County and across the Commonwealth.
“In recent years, the development of data centers has accelerated, leaving many of our communities facing serious questions about how they will affect local residents, utility systems, farmland, water supply and much more,” said Walsh. “In my legislative district, specifically, we have a couple companies seeking to build data centers due to our proximity to needed resources and open lands, which has brought this issue to the forefront. And while I understand this industry brings the possibility of new economic investment, we also need to acknowledge and address the concerns that come with it.”
Walsh noted data centers use large amounts of electricity and water to operate. That raises questions about whether the state’s existing power grid and water systems can support the projected demand without pushing added costs onto residential ratepayers. At the same time, residents have expressed frustration that decisions are being made without sufficient transparency or community input.
“My legislative package is modeled on proposals from other states, such as Florida, and would establish clear and reasonable standards to ensure data center development in Pennsylvania occurs responsibly, transparently and with real community involvement,” said Walsh. “These proposals are not anti-technology. They are pro-community and pro-taxpayer, grounded in the simple idea that long-term development must serve the public interest and provide real benefits to local communities. As Pennsylvania positions itself in the center of the national AI and data center economy, now is the time to make sure we have the proper guardrails in place to protect our citizens and our communities.”
Grove Tenders Resignation, Effective Jan. 31
On Jan. 28, Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover) announced he would resign from office effective Jan. 31 after 17 years serving the people of the 196th Legislative District. He issued the following statement:
“Serving as the state representative for the community I grew up in has been the honor of a lifetime. This district shaped who I am, and to have had the opportunity to give back through public service is something I will always cherish. I am eternally grateful to the people who placed their trust and faith in me over the years, and I thank them for allowing me to be their voice in Harrisburg. I hope I met the expectations of the homegrown leader they believed I could be and that my work reflected the values and priorities of the community we share.
“The time, however, has come to pass the torch to the next generation. I am confident the 196th District’s future is bright, and I wish whoever has the privilege of serving its people the very best as they continue the important work of representing this great community.”
Grove was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2008, serving on a number of York County committees. During his time in office, Grove has held several chairmanships, including majority chair of the House State Government Committee, where he oversaw legislation regarding elections and worked on redrawing U.S. Congression district maps.
Grove also served as chairman of the House Appropriations and Labor and Industry committees; and was first chairman of the then newly created House Government Oversight Committee.
Grove leaves office for a role in the private sector, becoming president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Concrete and Aggregates Association, a job he began on Jan. 1. His departure drops the Republican complement in the House to 98, pending the outcomes of the four previously scheduled special elections to fill other House vacancies. No date has yet been announced for a special election to fill Grove’s seat.
State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists January 14 Meeting Notes
Agenda: Current Agenda (PDF)
The State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists met on January 14, via hybrid meeting format, in Harrisburg. Following are the highlights.
∙ Board President Robert Kudlawiec, PE, presided, and welcomed the members. He recognized new prosecution liaison Angela Solomon, Esq..
∙ Prosecution Liaison reported no consent agreements
Board Counsel Ashley Goshert, Esq. reported two Adjudication Orders, which the board had considered in Executive Session prior to the meeting. Both were approved.
∙ Regulatory Counsel Marc Farrell reported on the status of two regulatory packages:
- 16A-4717 Engineer Interns; Decoupling Experience Requirement with Intern Certificates is at IRRC for approval, scheduled for a vote on January 15 (note: the regs were approved by IRRC)
- Ethics : still in process, on track for implementation in the next renewal cycle.
∙ Board member reports: Kudlawiec reported his attendance at Point Park College. Lisa Peterson, PE reported that she has been elected to the NCEES leadership committee, and President Kudlawiec has been appointed to the site selection committee.
∙ Acting Commissioner Arion Claggett had no report.
∙ Board Administrator Kristel Hennessey Himler gave and update on CE audits. .
∙ attendance at ASBOG and NCEES meetings were approved.
∙ The Board reviewed and tabled several Examination application, and discussed invitations to attend several upcoming events.
Finally, the board discussed previous correspondence from PSLS regarding non-boundary examination. Lehmon Deckle of NCEES joined the meeting and answered questions, regarding possible confusion created by mappers gaining separate designations. NCEES does not support this change.
The next meeting is March 18, 2026, with both in-person and virtual options for attendees, in the Eaton Room, 2525 N 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Public Session begins at 10:30 AM
This Month in the PA Bulletin:
Independent Regulatory Review Commission Approves Engineers Board Reg
On January 15, 2026, IRRC approved Regulation No. 16A-4717 of the State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists—Engineer Interns
Notice of proposed rulemaking was omitted for this regulation; it will become effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. This final-omitted rulemaking conforms the Board’s existing regulations to amendments made to the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law by Act 32 of 2024.
Legislative Activity
The following bills have been introduced, and cosponsor memos have been circulated in the General Assembly this past month.
Bidding / Contracting | NONE
Budget Bills | Cosponsor memos filed
SCO1476 –Residential Economic Redevelopment (by Sen. Joe Picozzi) Creates the Residential Economic Development District (REDD) Grant Program that faciliate grants to help build housing near job-creating projects. Cosponsor memo filed, 1/13/2026
Energy Development Bills | NONE
Environmental Building Standards | HB660 RE: Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards(by Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, et al)
The Pennsylvania Energy and Water Efficiency Standards Act provides for minimum energy and water efficiency standards for certain products sold in this commonwealth; imposes penalties; and repeals all acts and parts of acts insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this act. Outlines legislative findings. Establishes what products the provisions of this act apply to. Specifies limitations. Provides definitions. Requires the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to promulgate regulations establishing minimum efficiency standards for the types of new products listed no later than one year after the effective date, outlining the minimum efficiency standards that the regulations shall provide for. Provides for implementation, detailing the requirement of efficiency and the restriction on installation. Directs EQB to set efficiency standards on a determination that increased efficiency standards would serve to promote energy or water conservation in this commonwealth and would be cost-effective for consumers who purchase and use the products, provided that no increased efficiency standards shall become effective within one year following the adoption of any amended regulations establishing increased efficiency standards. Provides for product testing imposes duties on the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Requires compliance through DEP certification and compliance to mark, label or tag products, adding that manufacturers of new products listed shall meet the requirements if the manufacturers record the new products in a nationwide database. Permits DEP to cause periodic inspections to be made of distributors or retailers of new products listed in order to determine compliance. Outlines the complaint process. Abrogates all regulations and parts of regulations to the extent of any inconsistency with the provisions of this act. Effective in 60 days. (Prior PN: 620) (PN 620) The Pennsylvania Energy and Water Efficiency Standards Act provides for minimum energy and water efficiency standards for certain products sold in this commonwealth; imposes penalties; and repeals all acts and parts of acts insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this act. Outlines legislative findings. Establishes what products the provisions of this act apply to. Specifies limitations. Provides definitions. Requires the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) to promulgate regulations establishing minimum efficiency standards for the types of new products listed no later than one year after the effective date, outlining the minimum efficiency standards that the regulations shall provide for. Provides for implementation, detailing the requirement of efficiency and the restriction on installation. Directs EQB to set efficiency standards on a determination that increased efficiency standards would serve to promote energy or water conservation in this commonwealth and would be cost-effective for consumers who purchase and use the products, provided that no increased efficiency standards shall become effective within one year following the adoption of any amended regulations establishing increased efficiency standards. Provides for product testing and imposes duties on the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Requires compliance through DEP certification and compliance to mark, label or tag products. Permits DEP to cause periodic inspections to be made of distributors or retailers of new products listed in order to determine compliance. Outlines the complaint process. Abrogates all regulations and parts of regulations to the extent of any inconsistency with the provisions of this act. Read second time, and re-committed to House Appropriations Committee, 1/28/2026
Liability | NONE
Local/State Government/Regulations | Cosponsor memo filed
SCO1478 – Lowering Housing Costs: Pre-Approved Housing Plans (by Sen. Greg Rothman) Provides municipalities with the opportunity to simplify their approval process and creates a system to efficiently approve pre-vetted housing plans. Cosponsor memo filed, 1/13/2026
Local/Property Tax Reform | NONE
Mandate Waivers | NONE
Mechanic’s Lien | NONE
Permitting | Cosponsor memo filed
SCO1481- NPDES Permitting Program- Compliance with Federal Waiver (by Sen. Cris Dush) Allows construction projects involving land disturbance of more than one acre but less than two acres to apply for a waiver from the required National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Cosponsor memo filed, 1/14/2026
Procurement | NONE
Professional Licensure | NONE
Regulatory Process | NONE
School Construction | NONE
State/Local Taxes | NONE
Transportation/Highways | NONE
Worker’s Comp | NONE
Workforce Development | NONE
Upcoming meetings of Interest
Some House Committee meetings and session can be viewed online at: https://www.pahouse.net/LegisTrak/CommitteeMeetings
Senate Committee meetings and session can be streamed at: https://www.pasenategop.com/watch/
Monday, 2/2/26 | House Energy Committee (Rescheduled from 01/26/25)
9:30 AM – Room 60, East Wing
Bills to be Heard: HB1834– An Act providing for regulation of commercial data centers by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, for recovery of costs, for contributions to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, for renewable energy requirements and for filing and enforcement; establishing the Data Center LIHEAP Enhancement Fund; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the Department of Human Services.
Wednesday, 2/4/26 | House Professional Licensure Committee
9:15 AM – Room 515, Irvis Office Building
Agenda: Informational meeting on establishing licensure for water, geothermal, geotechnical and environmental well drillers
2026 House Session Schedule (Subject to Change)
February 2, 3, 4
March 23, 24, 25
April 13, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29
May 4, 5, 6
June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
September 28, 29, 30
October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21
November 9, 10
2026 Senate Spring Session Schedule
February 2, 3, 4
March 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25
April 20, 21, 22
May 4, 5, 6
June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30
Fall Dates TBA
State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists Meeting Schedule
PUBLIC WELCOME
All Board meetings are held in person and remotely via Teams. In-person meetings will be held at a new location: 2525 N. 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA, unless otherwise indicated.
2026 dates: March 18, May 20, July 22, September 23, December 2
2027 dates: January 13, March 10, May 12, July 14, September 15, November 17
2028 dates: January 12, March 8, May 10, July 12, September 13, November 15
State Geospatial Coordinating Board
2026 GeoBoard Quarterly Meetings: February 12, May 21, August 20, November 12
HYBRID virtual conference & in person at: Pennsylvania Geological Survey 3240 Schoolhouse Rd, Middletown, PA 17057
L&I: UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE REVIEW AND ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Next meeting dates (all meetings start at 9 AM): February 12, 2026
