Pennsylvania is turning data center guesswork into real, mandatory impact reports

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed an executive order mandating that operating data centers in the state disclose their annual energy and water consumption to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). This new requirement, effective next year, is designed to provide communities and regulators with concrete data on resource usage, moving beyond mere projections.

The initiative addresses long-standing transparency concerns from residents who have often lacked sufficient information to evaluate the environmental and resource impacts of proposed data center projects. In addition to current usage, data centers will also report projected consumption for the following year and measures taken to protect the public and environment. The state plans to create a public map of proposed projects and offer new evaluation tools for local governments.

While the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Brian Kennedy acknowledges the need for transparency, he expressed concerns that these new rules could potentially hinder job growth, particularly in manufacturing sectors supporting the electrical grid modernization driven by data center development. Despite this, Gov. Shapiro emphasized the need for accountability, citing over 100 data center proposals and aggressive tactics by developers.

The executive order follows considerable community pushback against data center developments across Pennsylvania, exemplified by a grassroots movement in Archbald against six proposed data centers and a 180-day moratorium enacted by Hazle Township Supervisors in June. Residents near an Allegheny DC Property Co. development in Springdale have also called for similar measures, highlighting the urgency for accurate information.