Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Pennsylvania House passes Matzie bill to protect utility consumers from data center-driven rate hikes

Pennsylvania House passes Matzie bill to protect utility consumers from data center-driven rate hikes

Rep. Robert F. Matzie    March 24, 2026 | 4:19 PM

HARRISBURG, March 24 – With the commonwealth seeing a sharp rise in data center development, the Pennsylvania House today passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Rob Matzie that would ensure the centers’ massive energy demands do not drive up Pennsylvanians’ electricity bills. 

Matzie, who is chair of the House Majority Caucus, said he introduced H.B. 1834 so the state can get the right regulatory framework in place now, as proposals for new data centers continue to mount.

“Normally, if an electric company adds poles and wires or equipment, we all share in the costs. That’s because it’s making the delivery system better for all of us,” Matzie said. “That’s not the case with data centers. No one’s electric bill should ever go up because a data center has located in Pennsylvania, but we need to plan ahead to make sure that doesn’t happen.

“It’s possible to protect ratepayers while still allowing the commonwealth to reap the tremendous economic benefits data centers can bring. Those goals are not mutually exclusive – as long as we get the right regulatory framework in place. My bill would do that.”

Matzie said his bill would:

  • Make sure that all costs incurred by data centers to get their electricity is paid for by them – not households and small businesses.
  • Require data centers to contribute to universal service programs and supplement the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, including providing new money for summer cooling.
  • Require data centers to use an increasing amount of in-state “clean firm” energy to improve energy reliability, reduce emissions and create local jobs.

The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.