Data centers under new deals: CBAs rise in state strategy

Governors in several Rust Belt states are turning to community benefit agreements (CBAs) to curb the data-center boom by tying projects to pollution limits, water use, local hiring, and investment. While CBAs are gaining traction and being pursued in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan, critics warn they can delay permitting and aren’t a cure-all; Lancaster, PA’s Chirisa data-center project offers a concrete example of a CBA in action. The approach sits alongside zoning and broader regulatory efforts as backlash to data centers grows and debates continue over whether CBAs should be mandatory or voluntary.