No Local Approval, No Data Center
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has issued an executive order requiring data center developers to obtain local approval before the state issues permits. This order ensures that if a community rejects a project, the state will not approve it either, strengthening local control over data center development.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed an executive order regarding AI and data centers, mandating that data center developers secure local approval before the state issues any permits. Hampden Township Commissioner John Smith commented on the executive order, stating that it ensures state and local governments work together to protect communities.
According to Smith, the new policy means that "if a community doesn't approve the project, the state won't approve the project either." This move aims to give local communities more power in the data center development process, ensuring that state-level permits are contingent upon local consent.