Local data center fight must continue despite governor’s executive order, Gaughan contends
Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan attributed Governor Josh Shapiro's executive order targeting the data center industry to local opposition, but cautioned that the local fight must persist. He reiterated the urgent need for a county-commissioned study to investigate potential health and air-quality impacts from proposed data centers and power plants. While the executive order introduces stricter requirements, Gaughan expressed frustration over delays in initiating the local impact study.
Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan credited the strong local opposition movement against data centers in Archbald and other parts of the county for influencing Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's recent executive order. The order imposes strict requirements on data center development statewide, notably removing projects from the “Fast Track” permitting program and requiring developers to make a legally binding commitment to meet Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) standards, along with local approval, before the state Department of Environmental Protection evaluates permit applications.
Despite this significant statewide action, Gaughan warned that the local "fight is far from over," emphasizing that the executive order does not eliminate existing data center proposals or address all concerns regarding air, water, electricity, noise, and public health in areas with concentrated facilities. He reiterated the urgent need for a county-commissioned study to assess the cumulative health and environmental impacts of data centers and related infrastructure, believing it will provide crucial evidence for future legal challenges.
While fellow Commissioners Chris Chermak and Thom Welby also support the study, Gaughan expressed frustration over their decision to solicit additional proposals for the $165,000 assessment rather than immediately proceeding with a firm Gaughan had already identified. Chermak defended the additional RFP process as a responsible use of taxpayer dollars and anticipated a quick decision once proposals are received by September 11. Officials hope the governor’s order will give local municipalities greater control over data center development.