Editor’s note: Sen. Douglas Mastriano (R-Franklin/Adams) wrote the following in support of legislation he plans to introduce. Just this week Franklin County commissioners adopted some guidelines for the county, though that measure does not go as far as the senator proposes.
Pennsylvania families are already being crushed by rising energy costs.
This past winter was a painful reminder. Across the commonwealth, families opened electric and heating bills that were dramatically higher than just a year ago. Many Pennsylvanians saw utility costs rise by double digits as inflation, grid strain, fuel demand and energy market pressures continued driving prices upward. Seniors on fixed incomes, working families, farmers and small businesses were forced to make difficult choices simply to keep the lights on and heat their homes.
And the worst part is this: Pennsylvania is one of the largest energy-producing states in America. Our workers produce enormous quantities of natural gas and electricity that power not only our own homes and industries, but neighboring states as well. While Pennsylvanians struggle with rising utility bills, vast amounts of our energy are exported to surrounding states like Maryland and Virginia — states whose political leadership has spent years attacking domestic energy production while still relying heavily on Pennsylvania’s power generation capacity. Now, on top of these existing pressures, an entirely new challenge is emerging: hyperscale artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Most Americans hear the words “artificial intelligence” and think about computers, apps or futuristic technology. What they do not see are the massive industrial data centers powering this revolution behind the scenes.
These facilities consume staggering amounts of electricity and water — in some cases using as much power as small cities. As AI technology rapidly expands, states across the country are racing to attract these enormous operations.
Pennsylvania will undoubtedly become a prime target because of our energy resources, strategic location and infrastructure. But before politicians rush to hand out incentives and approvals, Pennsylvania citizens deserve an honest conversation: Who will pay for the enormous infrastructure demands these facilities create?
Will ordinary Pennsylvanians once again be asked to subsidize billion-dollar corporations through higher utility rates, expanded grid costs, strained water systems and local infrastructure burdens? Or will we finally put Pennsylvania families first? That is why I will soon introduce the “Pennsylvania Families First” AI Infrastructure Protection Act.
This legislation is built on a simple principle: Pennsylvania residents should not be forced to pay higher electric bills so trillion-dollar technology corporations can operate massive AI server farms.
The bill will require hyperscale AI and data center developers to fully fund the infrastructure their projects require instead of shifting those costs onto residential consumers and small businesses. If these facilities require new substations, transmission upgrades, expanded grid capacity or industrial-scale utility support, those costs should be borne by the corporations profiting from the projects — not by working families already struggling with inflation and rising energy prices.
The legislation will also strengthen oversight of industrial water consumption, protect local communities’ authority over zoning and land use, and establish safeguards against hostile foreign ownership of critical AI infrastructure near sensitive Pennsylvania assets.
This is not anti-technology legislation. Pennsylvania should absolutely embrace innovation and economic development. But growth must occur responsibly and fairly. Technological progress cannot come at the expense of ordinary citizens who are already carrying the burden of rising energy costs.
For years, politically connected corporations have benefited from subsidies and sweetheart arrangements while working Americans absorb the consequences. Pennsylvanians are tired of being asked to sacrifice while massive corporations reap the rewards.
Other states are beginning to recognize the seriousness of this issue. Florida recently enacted protections to ensure ordinary consumers are not forced to subsidize the exploding infrastructure demands of hyperscale AI development. Pennsylvania should do the same — and we should do it before the damage is done.
The people of this commonwealth built Pennsylvania through hard work, industry, sacrifice and faith. They deserve affordable energy, reliable infrastructure and leaders willing to put their interests ahead of corporate pressure and political fashion.
As artificial intelligence reshapes the future, Pennsylvania must make one thing perfectly clear: The people come first.
