Shapiro signs executive order over rules for data centers
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order establishing new GRID standards for artificial intelligence data centers in the state. Data centers must adhere to these standards, which cover environmental protection, energy affordability, and transparency, to receive state support and permits. This move aims to address local and statewide concerns over energy, water, and land usage related to data center development.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order on August 18, establishing new Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) standards for artificial intelligence data centers across the state. The order mandates that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will only consider permits for data centers that comply with these standards, which aim to protect energy affordability, promote transparency, support economic development, and strengthen environmental protection.
Governor Shapiro emphasized that data center developers must agree to these strict requirements and secure community approval to receive state support. The executive order specifically requires developers to avoid non-disclosure agreements, submit annual electricity and water consumption reports, and pay for all interconnection costs. It also removes AI data center projects from the Pennsylvania Permit Fast Track Program, stating that future data center projects will not be considered for this program.
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Tommy Nagle applauded the executive order for protecting farmers and rural communities from bearing the costs of data center development. However, Nagle urged for further action from the Governor and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to safeguard agricultural land from transmission lines and prevent the use of eminent domain for projects primarily serving private data centers.