Governor Wants To Incentivize Data Centers To Be Better Neighbors

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro plans to offer expedited permitting for data centers that meet stricter environmental and transparency standards under the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) initiative. Shapiro wants to prevent data center developers from negatively impacting energy prices and water supplies, ensure they don't pollute the environment, and urge them to hire locally and be transparent with communities. Under GRID, developers that "use the highest standards" will have access to the state's Fast Track program, which ensures quicker permitting. Environmental advocates have welcomed Shapiro's focus on the issue, but say the incentives may not be enough without real enforcement mechanisms. They argue Shapiro would need cooperation from the state's Democrat-led House and GOP-controlled Senate to add teeth to the program through legislation. Some concerns include ensuring data centers bring their own clean power generation and don't just draw from the existing grid, as well as holding developers accountable over the long-term on community benefits and environmental protection. The administration has not publicly specified how it would measure if developers meet GRID standards or who would assess compliance.