It’s all about trees (specifically who replaces them) and water in legislation on the docket for consideration by the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee next week. Up for a committee vote is HB2161 which, as proposed to be amended, would require public utilities to file tariffs with the PUC regarding replacing trees on public property which need to be removed in order for the utility to provide adequate and reliable service. On the water front is HB2246 which would require potential data centers to provide a report to the Department of Environmental Protection regarding expected water usage prior to building. Oh, and by the way, legislation directing the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to establish regulations for data centers (HB 1834) is on the House floor for consideration on Monday with a pending gut-and-replace amendment. Stay tuned.