Massachusetts hits data centers with new clean power rules
Massachusetts has become the third state in as many months to slap new restrictions on data center development.
Massachusetts has implemented a new mandate requiring data center developers building facilities larger than 25 megawatts to provide clean power or pay into a ratepayer protection fund. The requirement means data centers must meet 100% of their electricity demand with clean energy generation, which is stricter than the state's standard clean energy requirement for other industries. This move reflects a broader shift in state policy, as Massachusetts becomes the third state in recent months to impose new restrictions on data center development, following similar actions in Texas and New York. The change comes as public opposition to data centers has grown, prompting politicians to address voter concerns, while the tech industry has begun pushing back against these restrictions.
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