Overview
- New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill on Wednesday said she will work with the Legislature to require large data centers to secure and pay for most of their contracted electricity and to report energy and water use to the state.
- Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro unveiled voluntary GRID standards on Wednesday that would tie tax breaks and fast-track permitting to developer commitments on grid upgrades, transparency, and community investment.
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered a pause on new sales-tax exemptions for data centers after state reports showed the incentive cost nearly $1.57 billion in 2025 and lawmakers opened hearings to study the industry.
- Local opposition has grown, with towns banning centers and public meetings turning heated, and officials are calling for developer-funded interconnection, community benefit agreements, and clearer reporting to protect residents.
- Policy makers and regulators across states are shifting from broad incentive programs to conditional support and cost-allocation tools such as model tariffs, separate customer classes, and required developer payments, with hearings and bills expected in the coming weeks.