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17    <title>Executive Director’s Message, Summer 2026 | Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC)</title>
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66            <h1>Executive Director's Message, Summer 2026</h1>
67            <h2>
68                Navigating Transparency in Changing Waters
69
70            </h2>
71            <figure class="quarter">
72                <img src="images/andrew-dehoff-executive-directors-message.jpg"
73                     alt="Andrew D. Dehoff, Executive Director" />
74                <figcaption>Andrew D. Dehoff, P.E. <br /> Executive Director</figcaption>
75            </figure>
76            <p>
77                In the interest of remaining responsive to the evolving landscape surrounding
78                <a href="regulatory/data-centers/">data centers</a>,
79                we recently
80                made a determination that will affect the public comment process for certain projects in the Susquehanna
81                River Basin. We realize public interest will only continue to grow as data center development advances
82                in our watershed.
83            </p>
84            <p>
85                At the same time, we are beginning to notice an increasing number of data center
86                developers choosing designs that use  water provided directly from existing public water supplies
87                rather than pulling new water from rivers and streams or drilling new groundwater wells. Cases like
88                these would not require a withdrawal approval from us because the water they’re using is already
89                regulated through the public water supply system. We already account for that water through the public
90                water supplier’s existing withdrawal approval.
91            </p>
92            <p>
93                However, this approach does require our approval for the consumptive use of water (water used but not
94                returned to the basin) if the volume being used by the data center exceeds our threshold of 20,000
95                gallons per day over a 30-day average. Consumptive uses of water solely supplied by public water
96                supply, stormwater, wastewater, or other reused or recycled water may receive a Commission approval
97                known as an Approval by Rule, type (e), or “ABR(e)”. An ABR(e) is a type of general permit, and this
98                process has been in place since 2007 for all large water users in the basin.
99            </p>
100            <p>
101                ABR(e) permits can be issued by the Executive Director after a staff review of the application. The
102                process is simpler than a withdrawal application, because remember, the water quantity has already been
103                thoroughly scientifically reviewed and approved at the withdrawal source, and determined to be
104                sustainable for the public water supplier. The public water supplier has the discretion and
105                responsibility of managing their allocation of water within approved limits.
106            </p>
107            <p>
108                This brings me back around to the determination I mentioned at the top of this message. According to
109                our
110                <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-18/chapter-VIII" target="_blank">Code of Federal Regulations</a>
111                , ABR(e) applications are subject to a written comment period. But
112                applications for this type of project are not required to be included in the Commission’s quarterly
113                public hearing process. Given the heightened public interest and scrutiny involving data center
114                development, under my authority as Executive Director of the SRBC, the Commission will now require any
115                application for an ABR(e) filed for a data center to be included and subject to a quarterly public
116                hearing before any determination is rendered.
117            </p>
118            <p>
119                The Commission has always had a very robust <a href="regulatory/public-participation/">public participation</a> and comment process. You could always
120                submit written comments on an ABR(e) application. We are simply raising awareness of this opportunity
121                and offering the additional option to orally submit as well through the formal hearing process for
122                proposed consumptive water use by data centers using a public water supply. A more detailed 

123                <a href="regulatory/data-centers/docs/ABR(e)-determination.pdf" target="_blank">explanation of this determination</a>
124                as well as an
125                <a href="regulatory/data-centers/docs/ABR(e)-frequently-asked-questions.pdf" target="_blank"> FAQ on ABR(e) projects</a>
126                can be found on our website.
127            </p>
128
129            <p>Best regards,<br />Andrew D. Dehoff, P.E.<br>Executive Director</p>
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