Environmental/Energy Groups: Final State Budget Fails To Address Critical A.I. Data Center Issues And Skyrocketing Energy Bills

On July 12, statements by the Clean Power PA Coalition and the Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania said legislative action this week failed to address critical A.I. data center issues and skyrocketing energy bills.

Molly Parzen, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, issued the following statement-- 

“This budget fails to deliver the meaningful relief that Pennsylvania’s working families and local businesses desperately need. 

“True relief means investing heavily in clean, affordable energy and ensuring that the recent explosion of data centers in our commonwealth doesn't harm communities and drive electricity prices through the roof. 

“Unfortunately, Senate Republicans chose to block that future.

“While Democrats in the state House of Representatives worked tirelessly to advance legislation to expand access to cheaper clean energy and lower skyrocketing utility bills throughout the 2025-2026 legislative session, Senate Republicans refused to advance any serious energy policies. 

“House Democrats also passed a comprehensive package specifically designed to limit the impact of data centers on our environment, our local communities and our wallets. 

“Yet Senate Republicans chose to leave ordinary Pennsylvanians on the hook while Big Tech companies, oil and gas billionaires and greedy utilities continue to rake in record profits.

“This dynamic leaves us, once again, with a state budget that does little to address the urgent needs of Pennsylvanians or of our shared environment. 

“To be clear, there are positive steps forward in this budget that we applaud — including continued investments in the wildly successful Solar for Schools Program and requiring data centers to report on their energy and water usage.  

“But these minor wins stand in sharp contrast to what could have been achieved without Senate Republicans actively blocking the comprehensive progress Pennsylvania's families deserve.

“We can no longer allow gridlock in Harrisburg to stall the meaningful progress our commonwealth needs. 

“It is time to chart a sustainable, affordable future that expands economic opportunities for all of our communities, not just the wealthy few.”

Katie Blume, chair of the Clean Power PA Coalition, made the following statement-- 

“We at the Clean Power PA coalition are pleased that a state budget was enacted without a protracted impasse, but extremely disappointed that the final budget deal does not address one of the most pressing issues facing the state: the unfettered growth of energy-hungry data centers and the urgent need for meaningful oversight and regulation to ensure these projects do not shift costs onto consumers or harm local communities. 

“The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed common-sense legislation (HB 1834) months ago to hold data centers accountable and protect families from higher electricity bills and the local pollution and harmful effects on communities that come from unchecked data center growth. 

“In addition to supporting that legislation, Governor Shapiro developed his GRID accountability standards that require data center developers seeking Commonwealth support to protect consumers from higher energy costs, engage local communities, create family-sustaining jobs, and meet strong environmental standards. The state House passed the GRID standards bill (HB 2650) as well. 

“Yet, because state Senate leadership blocked these and other solutions and were unwilling to take any action on data centers, legislators are returning home to constituents who are angry and afraid about huge data centers proposed for their communities and already paying the price in higher utility bills.

“Pennsylvania families statewide have already been hit with increases of more than 20% on their electric bills since the beginning of last year. And that’s just the start: families in our region could be paying another $70 every month on top of that by 2028. 

“Pennsylvania cannot continue to ask families to subsidize data centers’ huge appetite for energy. It cannot leave local communities to fend for themselves under the pressure of wealthy tech companies and developers. 

“Pennsylvanians need action right away, and the state Senate majority must stop ignoring the needs and wishes of their constituents and blocking solutions that can head off this crisis.”

Governor’s Statements:

-- Governor Shapiro’s Remarks as Prepared During 2026-27 Budget Signing Ceremony

-- Governor Shapiro Signs Bipartisan 2026-27 Budget, Securing Major Priorities from His Budget Proposal Including Historic Investments in Education, More Funding for Vo-Tech, More State Troopers, and Child Care Support for Families

-- 18 Budget Wins Secured by Governor Shapiro, Including Historic Investments in Education, More Funding for Vo-Tech, Additional State Troopers, and More

Related Articles This Week:

-- Budget First Look: At Best A Cost To Carry Environmental Budget, Supports Oil & Gas Program Operations, Several Data Center Provisions But Not A Moratorium Or Pause  [PaEN]

-- A.I. Data Center Legislative Scorecard: Pennsylvania Failed To Finalize Meaningful Legislation On Energy Affordability, To Increase Electric Generation And Give Communities The Tools They Need To Cope With A.I. Proposals  [PaEN] 

-- Environmental/Energy Groups: Final State Budget Fails To Address Critical A.I. Data Center Issues And Skyrocketing Energy Bills  [PaEN]  

NewsClips:

-- Spotlight PA: PA Adopts $50.8 Billion Budget That Sends More Money to Poorest Schools, Skips Difficult Policy Questions

-- PennLive: Shapiro Signs Budget Deal That Goes Big On Education, Punts On Other Key Issues

-- PA Capital-Star: Gov. Shapiro Signs $50.8 Billion Compromise Budget, Despite Some Opposition In Both Parties

-- The Center Square: Shapiro Signs $50.8 Billion State Budget Amid Praise, Barbs

[Posted: July 12, 2026]  PA Environment Digest