Massachusetts Orders 25-MW Data Centers to Supply 100% Clean Power or Pay Fund
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 9
Massachusetts Orders 25-MW Data Centers to Supply 100% Clean Power or Pay Fund
3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 9
Summary
Data centers with more than 25 megawatts of peak demand in Massachusetts must now match all electricity use with clean generation or pay into a ratepayer protection fund under Gov. Maura Healey’s executive order.
The order goes beyond the state’s existing clean energy standard, which would require approved sources to supply at least 40% of power in 2030, by making large data centers cover 100% of demand.
Developers are expected to generate that power onsite if possible; otherwise they must finance new nearby generation, while the state pauses applications for a sales-tax exemption that took effect last month.
Massachusetts also told communities to avoid non-disclosure agreements, adding scrutiny as states harden their stance on data centers amid voter concerns over grid strain and environmental impact.
The move makes Massachusetts the third state in three months to tighten data-center rules, after New York halted projects of 50 megawatts or more and Texas imposed new audit requirements.