State lawmakers have proposed a legislative change that would hold data centers responsible for their environmental and financial impact on communities, requiring them to use their own sources of clean energy, pay their own gas infrastructure costs, meet water protection and cumulative impact standards, and forfeit the state tax exemption if not in compliance.
Author Archives: Sam Ferland
Sam Ferland is a reporter covering Easthampton, Southampton and Westhampton. An Easthampton native, Ferland is dedicated to sharing the stories, perspectives and news from his hometown beat. A Wheaton College graduate, he began at the Gazette in 2025. He can be reached at sferland@gazettenet.com or 413-585-5234.
