Massachusetts has become the latest U.S. state to crack down on the booming infrastructure of tech companies by introducing rigorous clean energy mandates for data centers. Under a new executive order, facilities requiring more than 25 megawatts of peak demand must ensure that 100% of their electricity is met through clean energy generation.
The directive, issued by Governor Maura Healey, pushes developers to either generate renewable power onsite or fund the construction of nearby clean energy projects. Facilities that fail to do so will be required to contribute to a ratepayer protection fund. Additionally, the state has temporarily halted tax exemptions for data centers and advised local communities against signing non-disclosure agreements with developers.
This regulatory shift mirrors a broader national trend, following similar restrictive measures implemented recently in Texas and New York due to mounting grid pressures. As public sentiment cools toward massive tech builds, the tech industry is beginning to push back through political advertising campaigns ahead of upcoming elections.
- New data centers over 25 megawatts must run on 100% clean energy.
- Developers must generate power onsite or fund nearby renewable energy sources.
- State halts tax exemptions and discourages local non-disclosure agreements.
- Follows similar regulatory crackdowns in states like Texas and New York.
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