Republican governor candidate Stacy Garrity calls for 'pause' on data center development during Luzerne County visit
Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity renewed her call for a "pause" on data center development in Pennsylvania during a visit to Luzerne County, advocating for local governments to update zoning laws. This comes after Governor Josh Shapiro released new "Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID)" standards for data center projects. Local officials and residents have expressed frustration with the rapid growth of data centers and the lack of local regulatory preparedness.
Republican gubernatorial candidate and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity reiterated her call for a "pause" on data center development during a recent roundtable discussion in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Garrity, visiting the Wilkes-Barre Twp. Fire Department, cited widespread frustration among residents regarding the rapid growth of data centers across the state, including in areas like Franklin County and the "epicenter" of Archbald. She clarified that her proposal for a "pause" differs from a full "moratorium," aiming instead to provide local governments with sufficient time to update their zoning ordinances and engage in public discussions before data center proposals are considered.
Garrity's call follows Governor Josh Shapiro's release of new "Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID)" standards for data center projects, which aim to push developers towards transparency, self-generation of power, community benefit contributions, and environmental sustainability. These standards also require adherence to qualify for existing tax exemptions. Garrity criticized Shapiro, accusing him of "flip-flopping" on data center development, pointing to his previous celebration of Amazon's $20 billion investment in the state. Shapiro's campaign countered that the governor developed the standards in collaboration with community, labor, and environmental leaders to ensure projects benefit communities without imposing costs on Pennsylvanians.
Local officials, including Wilkes-Barre Twp. Mayor Carl Kuren, Business Administrator Patrick Castellani, Zoning Officer Tom Zedolick, and Solicitor John Rodgers, participated in the roundtable, emphasizing the need for updated zoning laws to prevent companies from exploiting municipal unpreparedness. Luzerne County Councilman John Lombardo also called for better communication from the governor's office. The debate highlights a growing bipartisan issue, with polls suggesting that stances on data center development could influence gubernatorial and congressional races in Pennsylvania.