Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro reverses course on support for data center industry he once embraced
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has signed an executive order imposing new "guard rails" on the data center industry, reversing his previous stance. The order removes data centers from the state's fast-track permitting program, mandates environmental safeguards, and prohibits non-disclosure agreements. This move comes amid public negativity and legislative debate regarding data center development in the state.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed a new executive order on Tuesday, reversing his earlier support for the data center industry in the state. The governor, who previously championed a "fast track" permitting program for large projects, stated that Pennsylvania has become saturated with "data center speculators" who are "scaring our communities, being aggressive with township officials, bullying our neighbors.
The new order imposes what Shapiro calls the "strictest guard rails in the nation" on the industry. Key provisions include removing data centers from the state's fast-track permitting process, mandating specific environmental safeguards to be integrated into the Department of Environmental Protection's review process, and prohibiting the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) on data center projects, which have been a significant public concern.
The policy shift follows a "tidal wave of public negativity" and pressure from environmental groups and citizens. Ginny Marcille-Kerslake of Food & Water Watch criticized the order, stating it does little to protect communities and called for an executive order halting state permits and associated power infrastructure entirely. State lawmakers are also considering various data center-related bills, including proposals from Democratic Sen. Katie Muth for a three-year moratorium and Republican Sen. Jarrett Coleman for a bill allowing communities to enact 18-month moratoriums. Both senators expressed that the governor's action, while a step, does not go far enough compared to measures like New York's existing moratorium.
The reversal has drawn sharp criticism from Shapiro's Republican opponent, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who accused the governor of attempting to "gaslight" Pennsylvanians after previously being a "cheerleader" for the industry. Conversely, top Democrats in the state Legislature praised Shapiro's executive order, calling it a move towards accountability, while also criticizing the Republican-controlled Senate for not advancing related bills.