Mayor Parker to create task force placing guardrails on data centers in Philly

News Clipnbcphiladelphia.com·Philadelphia County, PA·9/14/2026

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced an executive order to create a task force aimed at establishing "guardrails" for potential data centers in the city. This move follows community concerns, including calls for a moratorium, regarding the impact of data centers on infrastructure, water supply, and electricity costs. The task force's mission is to develop enforceable standards to ensure new tech infrastructure aligns with the city's vision for a safer and greener Philadelphia.

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Gov: Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, Philadelphia Planning and Development Department, Philadelphia Sustainability Department, Philadelphia Public Health Department, Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections Department, Philadelphia Clean and Green Department, Philadelphia City Council, Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Philadelphia Planning Commission, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker has announced her intention to sign an executive order establishing a task force to create "guardrails" for data center development within the city. This decision follows significant community concerns and demands for a moratorium on data centers, spurred by issues such as rising electricity costs, strain on the electric grid, and potential environmental impacts on water supply and air quality. Protesters recently rallied outside City Hall, urging the City Council to pause data center construction and implement robust guidelines.

The Mayor's task force, which she initially mobilized over the summer across various city departments including Planning and Development, Sustainability, and the Water Department, aims to "establish enforceable standards for data centers that protect our infrastructure, water supply, and local neighborhoods." While the Philadelphia planning commission identified two potential data center sites, officials currently state there are no active plans for construction. Discussions are ongoing between City Council members and Mayor Parker's administration regarding the future of data centers in Philadelphia.

This local initiative in Philadelphia parallels broader state-level discussions in Pennsylvania. Governor Josh Shapiro previously signed an executive order imposing strict disclosure requirements for large data center projects, including projected water and energy use, and mandating payment for grid connection costs. However, Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton has indicated that the state is not considering a statewide moratorium on data centers, though potential legislation for continued guardrails is being discussed.