Amendment #30 to H5151

Electricity cost at large and qualified data centers

Representatives Elliott of Lowell and Hong of Lowell move to amend the bill by inserting after section 54 the following section:

“SECTION 54A. Said chapter 164 is hereby further amended by adding the following section:-

 Section 163. (a) As used in this section, the terms “large data center” or “qualified data center”, shall mean a facility in the commonwealth that is: (i) able to use 10 megawatts or more; and (ii) comprised of 1 or more buildings located on a single parcel or on contiguous parcels of land used primarily to house computer information technology equipment, networking, data processing or data storage, including servers and routers for the storage, management and dissemination of data and information.

 (b)  A distribution company shall not reduce the availability of electricity to or increase the rate charged to said company's residential or income-eligible customers due to the construction of, operation of, or use of electricity, as determined by the department, by qualified data centers and large data centers. The department shall review the rates and terms of a distribution company for the sale of electricity to qualified data centers and large data centers for the purposes of preventing an increase in electricity cost being passed on to the company’s residential customers. The distribution company shall: (i) provide any records regarding cost attribution to or agreements with qualified data centers and large data centers regarding build-out or interconnection to the department for review; and (ii) maintain records of electricity sales related to qualified data centers and large data centers to the department for review.

 (c) The department may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out this section.”.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #30 to H5151

Electricity cost at large and qualified data centers