Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Imposes New Restrictions on Data Center Projects
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has issued an executive order imposing significant new restrictions on data center projects, a notable shift from his previous pro-development stance. The order mandates local official approval, specific developer commitments including water conservation and power costs, and removes projects from the state's fast-track permitting program. This move comes amid increasing public and political opposition to data center developments across the commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced Tuesday a new executive order imposing significant restrictions on data center projects, taking a hard line against what he described as "predatory" developers and "bad proposals." This action marks a notable reversal for Shapiro, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, who had previously encouraged data center expansion in the state. He stated the shift was a response to feedback from Pennsylvania residents and a desire to prevent developers from