Pennsylvania Governor Issues Executive Order on Data Center Development
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has taken executive action to implement "strictest guardrails" on data center development across the state. This move follows the stalling of legislation in the state Senate aimed at regulating the industry, with Shapiro vowing to protect communities from being "bullied" by developers.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced executive action to impose what he described as the "strictest guardrails in the nation" on data center development across the Commonwealth.
This decision came after proposed legislation, which included requirements for data centers to bring their own power, cover all associated electricity costs, be transparent with local communities, hire local workers, provide community benefits, and protect air and water, passed the House on a bipartisan basis but was not brought to a vote in the Senate. The Governor stated that the Senate Majority Leader had indicated no intention of taking legislative action on data center regulation.
Shapiro emphasized that the absence of legislative approval left him no option but to use his authority to protect Pennsylvania residents from "predatory developers and bad proposals." He declared that the state "will not be bullied" by developers or "bulldozed" by the lawyers for big tech companies.