Data Center Rules That Protect Us

The Rules Meriam Supports

Keep Data Center Costs Off Utility Bills

Data centers should pay for the new power lines and grid work they need. Families and small shops should not get stuck with the bill.

❌ Milou Mackenzie voted no on HB 1834. The bill would guard power customers and set clean power rules for large data centers.

Protect Water, Farmland, and Neighborhoods

Show the public how much power and water each site will use. Protect streams and farms. Follow local rules for noise, traffic, and safety.

❌ Milou Mackenzie voted no on HB 2150. The bill would require data centers to report their energy and water use.

❌ Milou Mackenzie voted no on HB 2246. The bill would add covered data centers to Pennsylvania's state water-planning rules.

Set Strong Statewide Standards

A town should not start from scratch each time a large project appears. Pennsylvania needs basic rules that every builder must meet.

❌ Milou Mackenzie voted no on HB 2650. That bill set broad rules for data centers and the power grid.

Give Communities a Real Say

Tell residents early. Share the facts in plain words. Hold the local review before the deal is done.

❌ Milou Mackenzie voted no on HB 2151. The bill would help municipalities develop their own data-center ordinances.

✓ Milou Mackenzie backed three smaller bills. They covered a local pause (HB 2496), public reports (HB 2359), and tax breaks (HB 2198).

❌ She still voted no on the wider state rules.

❌ Milou Mackenzie voted five times against regulating data centers. In 2026 the House took up eight data-center bills. Mackenzie voted against all five that had teeth. When a vote was free — when it passed 201–1 and cost the industry nothing — Mackenzie was for it. Every time a bill would have made data centers disclose their water use, pay their own costs, or let a township say no, Mackenzie was against it. On four of those five, between 14 and 33 Republicans voted yes and Mackenzie still voted no.

No Blank Checks

A firm that gets a tax break must share the deal. Job, road, and water promises should be in writing—and have teeth.