Massachusetts voters could gain the final say on data centers under new petition

Massachusetts voters could eventually get a direct say over whether new data centers can open in their communities, according to Ballotpedia.

A newly filed initiative petition would block local permitting agencies from approving those projects unless developers first meet electricity- and water-related safeguards and gain local voters' approval.

Here's what to know

Ballotpedia reported that a Massachusetts resident submitted the initiative petition to the state Election Division.

If the attorney general's office clears it by Sept. 2, supporters could begin collecting the 74,574 signatures needed to try to put it before voters in November 2028.

Before a local agency could approve a data center, developers would need to show three things: There must be a contract meant to protect utility customers from higher electric costs, evidence that the facility's water demand fits within current system capacity, and a drought-response plan.

A permit could move forward only if two-thirds of local voters support the project.

Why is this important?

The filing follows Massachusetts' 2024 move to make itself more appealing to data center developers.

Lawmakers created a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying facilities, covering equipment used to build, furnish, and maintain them.

To qualify for that benefit, a project must involve at least $50 million in construction or refurbishment, support no fewer than 100 Massachusetts jobs, and cover 100,000 square feet or more across one or more buildings.

Large data centers can consume massive amounts of electricity and water, so debates over new facilities often center on whether households could face higher bills, tighter water supplies, or added strain during drought conditions.

On June 25, Gov. Maura Healey said the state would pause applications for the tax break while leaders weigh stronger protections before extending the incentive.

What's being done?

The Massachusetts filing is the second statewide initiated ballot measure in the country focused on data centers. 

In March, Conserve Ohio filed a proposal that would bar building data centers for digital data processing if their combined power demand exceeds 25 megawatts. On June 22, the group said it would target the 2027 ballot.

Local governments are also emerging as key battlegrounds. Nine local ballot measures on data centers had been certified for the 2026 ballot across the country. And of the four that have been decided already, all of them have limited data center development.

If the Massachusetts petition advances, it would add a layer of public oversight and accountability to data center projects that many people clearly want to see.

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