Pennsylvania Governor's GRID Executive Order Criticized for Data Center Policies
A letter to the editor criticizes Governor Shapiro's GRID executive order, stating it is too lenient on data center development in Pennsylvania and fails to adequately protect communities. The author asserts that Pennsylvanians are demanding a statewide moratorium on data center development, not initiatives that pave the way for it, particularly citing concerns over natural gas as a power source. Advocacy groups are committed to opposing data center development in the state.
A letter to the editor published on NorthcentralPA.com sharply criticizes Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro's recently announced GRID executive order concerning data center development. The author argues that the order is too lenient and does not provide sufficient protection for the state's communities, especially considering a strong public demand for a statewide moratorium.
The letter emphasizes that a three-year moratorium is necessary to study the health, safety, environmental, and climate impacts of data centers. It highlights concerns that the executive order, which promotes natural gas as a power source, will exacerbate the suffering of communities already impacted by the natural gas industry. PUC Chairman DeFrank is specifically cited for clarifying natural gas as the intended power source.
The Better Path Coalition and No False Climate Solutions PA have voiced their commitment to ongoing opposition against data center development in Pennsylvania, asserting that the state deserves better protection than what the executive order offers.