Massachusetts hits data centers with new clean power rules

马萨诸塞州对数据中心实施新的清洁能源法规

Massachusetts became the latest state to force data centers to bring their own power, but this time there’s a twist. A new state mandate would require developers building data centers larger than 25 megawatts to provide clean power or pay into a ratepayer protection fund. 马萨诸塞州成为最新一个强制要求数据中心自备电力的州，但这次有所不同。该州的一项新政要求，开发规模超过 25 兆瓦数据中心的开发商必须提供清洁能源，或向纳税人保护基金缴费。

Gov. Maura Healey’s executive order is the latest example of states turning against data centers. Just a few years ago, tech companies and data center developers were showered with incentives to locate facilities in a particular state. Now, they’re fighting a groundswell of public opposition as politicians seek to show voters they’re addressing their concerns. 州长莫拉·希利（Maura Healey）签署的这项行政命令，是各州对数据中心态度转变的最新例证。就在几年前，科技公司和数据中心开发商还因在特定州选址而获得大量激励措施。如今，随着政客们试图向选民展示他们正在解决公众关切，这些企业正面临日益高涨的舆论反对浪潮。

Under Healey’s order, data centers larger than 25 megawatts of peak demand will have to bring their own power and guarantee that it adheres to the state’s clean energy requirements. Healey would prefer that they generate the clean power onsite, too. If not, they’ll need to fund the construction of new generation nearby or pay into a ratepayer protection fund. 根据希利的命令，峰值需求超过 25 兆瓦的数据中心必须自备电力，并确保其符合该州的清洁能源要求。希利更倾向于让他们在现场发电。如果无法做到，他们则需要资助附近的新能源发电设施建设，或向纳税人保护基金缴费。

Massachusetts is also directing communities to “avoid signing non-disclosure agreements,” according to the executive order. To give regulators time to implement the new restrictions, the governor is pausing applications for a data center sales tax exemption that went into effect last month. 根据该行政命令，马萨诸塞州还指示各社区“避免签署保密协议”。为了给监管机构留出实施新限制的时间，州长已暂停了上个月生效的数据中心销售税豁免申请。

Healey said data centers must meet the Massachusetts clean energy standard enshrined in state law, although it comes with some added strength. The state’s clean energy standard dictates that industry only generate a portion of their power using approved sources like wind, solar, and hydro. In 2030, for example, those sources must contribute at least 40% of the total. The amount varies by year, and it ratchets up over time. But the governor’s office clarified that data centers will be required to meet 100% of its electricity demand with clean energy generation. 希利表示，数据中心必须达到州法律规定的马萨诸塞州清洁能源标准，尽管该标准有所加强。该州的清洁能源标准规定，行业只需使用风能、太阳能和水能等获批来源发电即可。例如，到 2030 年，这些来源必须占总发电量的至少 40%。这一比例每年都在变化，并随时间推移而提高。但州长办公室明确表示，数据中心将被要求 100% 使用清洁能源来满足其电力需求。

With the new restrictions, Massachusetts becomes the third state in as many months to rein in data center development. In August, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that all new data centers in the state would need to submit to audits by the public utility commission and the grid operator, ERCOT. In July, New York’s governor stopped construction of new data centers 50 megawatts or larger. 随着这些新限制的实施，马萨诸塞州成为三个月内第三个对数据中心发展进行管控的州。8 月，德克萨斯州州长格雷格·阿博特（Greg Abbott）宣布，该州所有新建数据中心都需要接受公共事业委员会和电网运营商 ERCOT 的审计。7 月，纽约州州长叫停了 50 兆瓦及以上规模的新数据中心建设。

With public sentiment shifting against data centers, the tech industry is starting to push back. Pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future — which is funded by Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, and Greg Brockman — is buying ads that seek to sway voters in battleground states ahead of midterm elections. 随着公众舆论转向反对数据中心，科技行业开始进行反击。由马克·安德森（Marc Andreessen）、本·霍洛维茨（Ben Horowitz）和格雷格·布罗克曼（Greg Brockman）资助的亲人工智能超级政治行动委员会“Leading the Future”正在投放广告，试图在期中选举前影响摇摆州的选民。

Update: This article was updated with information from the Massachusetts governor’s office that clarified the executive order will require data centers to meet 100% of its electricity demand with clean energy generation. 更新：本文已根据马萨诸塞州州长办公室的信息进行了更新，明确了该行政命令将要求数据中心 100% 使用清洁能源来满足其电力需求。