State Rep. Jill N. Cooper announced on Apr. 23 a series of legislative initiatives and upcoming community events affecting the 55th District, with a particular focus on the regulation and growth of data centers in Pennsylvania.
The growing presence of data centers is shaping many aspects of daily life, powering services from photo storage to banking systems. As their numbers increase across Pennsylvania, Cooper said that managing this expansion responsibly is essential for communities.
Cooper highlighted two bipartisan bills recently passed by the House that aim to bring structure and transparency to the industry. House Bill 2151 would create a model ordinance for local governments considering data center development, offering guidance without mandating adoption. House Bill 2150 would require operators to report annual energy and water usage, with the Department of Environmental Protection publishing this information alongside the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Cooper said such reporting is vital because “data centers can consume significant amounts of electricity and water, and understanding their impact is essential to planning for sustainable growth.” She also referenced local innovation efforts like repurposing the former Alcoa Technical Center in Upper Burrell into a new facility expected to generate jobs while possibly using on-site natural gas power.
To address potential risks such as strain on infrastructure or increased costs for residents, Cooper co-sponsored House Bill 2372—the Electricity Ratepayer Protection Act—which proposes requiring data centers to cover connection costs and supply their own baseload power rather than relying on capacity meant for homes or small businesses.
Beyond her legislative work, Cooper participates in organizations including the Franklin Regional Panther Foundation and Westmoreland Community Action according to the official website. She resides with her husband Leighton according to the official website, graduated from Plum Senior High School and Grove City College according to the official website, serves on several committees including Education; Labor and Industry; Tourism, Economic and Recreational Development; Local Government; Veterans Affairs; and Emergency Preparedness according to the official website, held leadership roles such as vice president of sales and marketing at an Alcoa subsidiary according to the official website, spending fourteen years at Alcoa Corporation rising through various positions according to the official website.
Upcoming district events include a free mobile shredding event co-hosted by Rep. Abby Major on May 8 at Lower Burrell VFW Post 92, as well as a Women’s Legislative Tea featuring Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli scheduled for May 13 at The Lamplighter in Delmont. In addition, PHEAA has announced financial aid webinars throughout May and June aimed at helping students understand college financing options.
