Massachusetts Governor Healey Mandates Local Approval and Benefit Agreements for Data Centers
Governor Maura Healey has issued an executive order requiring local approval and community benefit agreements for all new data center projects in Massachusetts. This order stipulates that proposed data centers must secure consent from host communities before proceeding with state permitting. The initiative aims to ensure transparency, protect public health, and safeguard the environment, particularly in light of concerns raised by residents in Lowell regarding the environmental impact of data centers. The order also prohibits non-disclosure agreements between state agencies and data centers to foster a transparent approval process. Data centers with peak electricity demands exceeding 25 megawatts must adhere to the administration's framework, which includes procuring or developing their own energy resources to avoid increasing costs for ratepayers and straining the electric grid. Additionally, these facilities must be located where sufficient water, wastewater, and infrastructure capacity exist, and they m... 
