Briefings
What changed in environmental, land-use and permitting rules for development in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania: what happened, who is affected and the next date that matters.
- HighPennsylvania
Pennsylvania proposes cutting power to data centers first when the regional grid runs short
State utility regulators propose that utilities curtail large computing loads lacking their own new capacity before other customers in grid emergencies; comments are due 30 days after Bulletin publication.
ProposedEnergy & gridData centers - MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey Pinelands towns ban data centers as state commission lets eleven local bans take effect
By the end of September 2026, the Pinelands Commission had cleared data center bans in eleven towns and a moratorium in a twelfth, with more ordinances awaiting review.
- HighNew Jersey
New Jersey large new loads could be curtailed first in emergencies from June 2027 under filing
On September 29, 2026 FERC accepted the regional grid operator's one-time capacity backstop but suspended it to February 28, 2027 for a paper hearing. A separate service that would curtail new large loads first, starting June 1, 2027, awaits a ruling PJM has asked for by October 12.
ProposedEnergy & gridData centers - MediumChester County, PA
Pennsylvania: East Whiteland ends data center pause, limits new centers to industrial district by conditional use
A Chester County township closed a six-month zoning pause by adopting data center rules on September 24, 2026; the posted final draft sets 1,250-foot buffers, night noise caps and closed-loop cooling.
- MediumMiddlesex County, NJ
New Jersey weighs diesel generator permit for South Brunswick data center; comments now due November 9
A draft state air permit for twelve emergency diesel generators at a data center under construction on Route 1 drew a crowded hearing, a neighboring town's objection and a longer comment period.
ProposedData centersAir & climate - HighCumberland County, NJ
New Jersey fines Vineland data center $1.07 million for running 62 unpermitted gas generators
The state's largest penalty against a data center gives the developer 45 days to obtain air permits or stop running the generators, a warning for projects using on-site bridge power.
- MediumPennsylvania
Pennsylvania regulators examine who pays for data center grid costs; panel applications due October 14
The Public Utility Commission will hold a November 17 technical conference on allocating costs caused by data centers and other large loads, with written comments due November 13 and December 18.
ProposedData centersEnergy & grid - HighNew York
New York opens comments on scope of statewide data center environmental review; deadline October 20
The study that must be finished before state permits for large data centers resume now has a draft outline, and its final shape may govern how later projects are reviewed.
- HighNew York
New York issues voluntary $1 million per megawatt data center benchmark; DEC permit pause continues
The September 15 framework leaves the pause on DEC permits for large data centers in place and gives towns a voluntary contribution benchmark to use in negotiations, so site contract deadlines need review.
- MediumFairfield County, CT
Connecticut town of Trumbull bars new data centers for two years, exempting its existing site
Trumbull's council adopted a two-year moratorium on new data centers on September 9, while Cromwell's planners rejected a one-year pause and New Haven and Ellington weigh their own.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey halves AI data center tax credits and closes the program to new applicants
A new law cuts the state's artificial intelligence and data center credit pool from $500 million to $250 million; the state says the remaining credits are fully allocated.
- HighNew Jersey
New Jersey sets path for data center electric tariffs requiring 10-year payment guarantees and twice-yearly reporting
Two 2026 laws reach New Jersey data centers: a July 7 tariff law with an 85 percent, 10-year payment guarantee and priority curtailment, and an August 27 law requiring semiannual energy and water reports to the BPU. Board standards are due within 12 months of July 7.
- MediumRockland County, NY
Orangetown, New York, halts new data center and battery storage approvals for 180 days
A Rockland County town has frozen permits for data centers and battery systems while it rewrites its zoning, but data center applications filed before July 1, 2026 may proceed.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey tells towns how to negotiate data center benefit deals and property tax breaks
State guidance lists what towns should cover in community benefits agreements with data center developers, restates labor rules for data center construction, and urges caution on long-term tax exemptions.
- HighPennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires local approvals before state permit review of large data centers
For new applications by data centers above 25 megawatts, a binding consent order allows rolling state review; data centers are removed from fast-track and the sales tax exemption is tied to the conditions.
- MediumNew York
Federal: New York grid operator has until November 16 to file data center connection rules
Federal energy regulators paused their challenge to New York's grid rules for loads of 50 megawatts or more, giving the grid operator and utilities 90 days to propose revisions on cost, co-location and flexible service.
ProposedEnergy & gridData centers - LowConnecticut
Connecticut auditors fault approval of state's only data center tax break as program stays intact
A state audit finds no record that a required review preceded Connecticut's only data center incentive deal; the 20-to-30-year tax exemptions and host-town agreements remain law.
- MediumPennsylvania
Pennsylvania requires larger data centers to report energy and water use by July 2027
A budget-season amendment to the Fiscal Code makes data centers above 10 megawatts file annual energy and water reports with environmental regulators, with reported penalties of $10,000 a day.
- MediumNew York
New York regulator opens large-load grid connection review; technical conference due by December 31, 2026
A February 12, 2026 order opened a Public Service Commission proceeding on how to connect data centers and other large loads, including who pays for upgrades. Comments have closed; a staff technical conference is due before December 31, 2026 and a white paper within a year.
ProposedEnergy & gridData centers