Press Release: 9/9/2026

Governor Healey: No Data Centers Without Local Approval

 

Governor Healey is requiring data centers to receive local approval before seeking state permits, pay for their own clean energy or pay fees to ratepayers, and adhere to water, air and community engagement standards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

9/08/2026

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey today signed an Executive Order giving communities a voice and protecting them against irresponsible data center development and higher energy bills.  Under Governor Healey’s Executive Order, if a data center doesn’t have local approval, state permitting agencies will not advance the project. 

The Governor also directed state agencies to require data centers to comply with her comprehensive Data Center Framework, including bringing their own clean energy supply, protecting water resources and engaging transparently with the surrounding communities. The Executive Order establishes a dedicated Ratepayer Protection Fund, under which data centers that do not bring their own clean energy would be forced to pay a fee that will be returned to ratepayers.

“Unless a community says yes to a data center, we are saying no,” said Governor Healey. “We’re giving communities a voice and laying out the rules for what needs to happen in Massachusetts. I’m also making sure these data centers use clean energy, and that we protect people from higher energy costs – including by returning money directly back to ratepayers.” 

“Data centers can afford to pay for their own clean energy and infrastructure, and we’re going to make sure they do,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “A data center should invest in Massachusetts – bringing new clean energy and paying for the infrastructure to get it there. And if not, they need to be accountable to ratepayers. We’ve seen ratepayers in other states foot the bill for data centers. That won’t be acceptable in Massachusetts.”

Under Governor Healey’s Executive Order, data centers will need a community benefits agreement with the host community that meets state standards before moving forward with any state permitting processes. Governor Healey is also prohibiting the use of non-disclosure agreements between state agencies and data centers to ensure a transparent and fair approval process.

Governor Healey’s Data Center Framework is one of the most comprehensive in the nation. The framework outlines expectations for data center developers, including that they must fund the full cost of the energy infrastructure and clean energy supply needed to support the project, protect the surrounding environment, water systems, and public health and safety, and ensure that local businesses and residents can benefit from job creation and other investments. 

Today’s Executive Order directs the state’s permitting agencies to require proposed data center projects with peak electricity demand exceeding 25 megawatts to demonstrate they are in compliance with the Governor’s framework before granting their permits.

The Executive Order outlines major protections for ratepayers from data center energy use. Governor Healey calls for the establishment of a Ratepayer Protection Fund. Her order calls for data centers to meet their energy needs with clean energy and pay for the necessary energy infrastructure. If electricity costs are not fully covered by the company, it would be required to pay into the Ratepayer Protection Fund, which would be returned back to customers. 

Statements of Support:

Trish Fields, ACT:

“As Massachusetts continues to attract data centers and other energy-intensive industries, we have an opportunity to ensure this growth strengthens, not strains, our electric system. New large energy users should help meet their own electricity demand through investments in new, clean energy resources so that existing residents and businesses are not left bearing higher costs or facing increased pressure on the grid. By pairing economic growth with clean energy development, Massachusetts can remain competitive, protect ratepayers, and build the reliable energy infrastructure needed for the future.” 

Chrissy Lynch, President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO:

"Right now, tens of thousands of highly trained union members across the country are building the data centers that are the foundation for the internet and our increasingly digital economy, and we are ready to take on more. Especially in Massachusetts, every job related to data centers - from supply chain to manufacturing to construction and maintenance - should be a union job. We need rules to ensure that these data centers support union jobs for local people, that they provide their own water and energy, that they pay their fair share of taxes, and that they work with local communities to ensure that the economic benefits are truly felt by those communities. We applaud the Healey Administration for taking action on the rules urgently needed for data center expansion that mitigate harms while maximizing economic benefits."

Mike Monahan, Second District Vice President, IBEW 103:

“Governor Healey's Executive Order provides the right answers for Massachusetts for responsible data center development. They should be built with union labor, ensure residents and ratepayers aren't subsidizing energy or water costs, and contribute to local and statewide economic growth. Our brothers and sisters are ready to get to work to make sure data centers are built responsibly and to the highest standards.”

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