Legislators cheer, opponents boo Shapiro’s data center order
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order imposing stricter GRID standards on data center projects, removing them from fast-tracked state permits and sales tax exemptions if they fail to comply. The move received mixed reactions, with legislators largely supporting it as a necessary step, while opponents criticized it as insufficient and politically motivated, calling for a statewide moratorium.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has issued an executive order imposing stricter regulations, known as GRID standards, on data center projects across the state. This order removes new data centers from eligibility for fast-tracked state permits and exemption from the state's 6% sales tax if they do not comply with the new requirements.
The executive action has drawn divided reactions. While some state legislators, including Representatives Danielle Friel-Otten, Joe Ciresi, Joe Webster, Greg Scott, and Senator Tracy Pennycuick, praised the governor for taking decisive action in the face of legislative inaction, many local residents and advocacy groups expressed skepticism. Opponents, such as Joanna Binelli-Tenney of Prevent East Vincent Data Center Development and Ginny Marcille-Kerslake of Food and Water-Watch, dismissed the order as