Garrity, Shapiro sparring over data centers as election approaches
Republican challenger Stacy Garrity is pressuring Democratic incumbent Gov. Josh Shapiro to return campaign donations linked to data center interests, accusing him of shifting his stance on development. This political sparring follows Shapiro's recent executive order aimed at regulating data center projects, which Garrity argues is a political maneuver. Garrity is advocating for a statewide pause on data center developments to allow local governments time to update ordinances.
Pennsylvania's gubernatorial election has seen data center development emerge as a key issue, with Republican challenger Stacy Garrity calling on Democratic incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro to return $5.7 million in campaign donations she alleges are tied to data center interests. Garrity, joined by Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, accused Shapiro of altering his position on data centers for political gain, citing significant contributions from individuals and companies with tech and construction backgrounds, including NorthPoint Development, which has active projects in Pennsylvania.
Governor Shapiro's campaign dismissed Garrity's demands, asserting that Garrity herself has a history of supporting unregulated development. The campaign also criticized Senator Ward for failing to advance regulatory proposals in the General Assembly, which Shapiro indicated necessitated his unilateral action. Shapiro recently signed an executive order to regulate data center developments, a move Garrity described as a politically motivated attempt to address negative public opinion regarding potential impacts on water, electricity, and noise.
Shapiro's executive order prohibits current and future data center proposals from the PA Permit Fast Track Program, bans state agencies from non-disclosure agreements with developers, and requires local government approval for land use before state permits are issued. Additionally, developers must cover the full cost of bringing electric power to projects without affecting other ratepayers. Garrity, who claims to have met with no data center developers, supports a statewide pause to allow local governments to update ordinances and advocates for developments on brownfield sites, requiring projects to supply their own electricity and water using efficient cooling systems, while avoiding prime farmland.