PennFuture Applauds Governor Shapiro's Executive Action on Data Centers, Calls on Legislators to Now Act

Today, Governor Josh Shapiro took executive action to implement elements of his Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards. Due to legislative inaction, the announcement ties GRID to the Commonwealth’s permitting processes to push data centers to commit to meaningful community engagement, clean energy investment, protection of high quality streams, and cleaner backup power.

In addition, data center permits will require local approval of projects before state permitting, and eliminate the use of nondisclosure agreements with government officials.

PennFuture recognizes that the governor’s announcement represents significant progress in managing data center development and expanding renewable energy in the Commonwealth. But safeguarding our environment and health should not be subject to data centers’ agreeing to standards.

Today’s action demonstrates once again that it is past time for the state legislature to act by passing critical legislation that further protects Pennsylvanians from rising energy costs and environmental harm. House Bill 1834 would require clean energy use and safeguard ratepayers, while House Bill 2496 would allow local governments to pause data center applications to update municipal zoning ordinances. House Bill 2496 has already passed the state House 201-1 and is pending in the Senate.

We're encouraged by the Governor's leadership today. Now it's time for the legislature to finish the job and make these protections the law of the land — not something negotiated project by project.