(File Photo of State Representative Rob Matzie Speaking)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) Pennsylvania lawmakers recently pushed forward with a proposal to shield consumers in the state from surging utility costs related to data centers. This move comes amid concerns about the demands for energy of these data hubs, which are proliferating to support an artificial intelligence industry that is growing rapidly. House Bill 1834, which is sponsored by State Representative Rob Matzie, (D-Beaver) would make a requirement for data centers to shoulder the cost of any energy upgrades that are needed to accommodate them. The bill passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday and it now moves over to the Senate for consideration.