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Gov. Healey Signs Executive Order on New Massachusetts Data Centers: "We're Giving Communities Full Voice"
The order requires community benefit agreements, ends nondisclosure agreements and ties tax breaks to cleaner power and local protections.
- On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Governor Maura Healey signed an executive order requiring large data centers to secure local approval before state permitting, aiming to give Massachusetts communities greater control over development.
- Significant infrastructure demands, including land and water consumption, prompted the move as municipalities faced increased pressure from rapid artificial intelligence expansion.
- The order mandates that projects exceeding 25 megawatts provide clean power or pay into a ratepayer protection fund, while prohibiting non-disclosure agreements that limited public access to project details.
- New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell is proposing a complete municipal ban, while critics like the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance suggest the governor's timing aims to score political points.
- Several states are implementing similar restrictions, mirroring measures in New York and Texas as officials nationwide attempt to balance economic development with preservation of local resources.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
Governor Healey signed an executive order blocking state permits to data centers without municipal approval or community agreement.
Gov. Maura Healey signs executive order requiring local approval for data center development
Data center developers eyeing Massachusetts may need to cozy up to local officials after Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order requiring local approval before state permitting can begin.
·Braintree, United States
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Northampton councilors, considering data center moratorium, laud Healey’s order
NORTHAMPTON — Gov. Maura Healey’s executive order Tuesday giving cities and towns the right to say no to data center development boosts the confidence of councilors here as they consider a moratorium that could come as early as October.
·Springfield, United States
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Center
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources are Center
63% Center
L 25%
C 63%
12%
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