PennFuture's Statement on Governor Shapiro's GRID Standards

Governor Shapiro’s “GRID” Standards acknowledge many of the very real concerns about data center development in Pennsylvania, but more work is required by state lawmakers to protect communities from this extractive industry. The risks highlighted by the Governor exist for these projects whether or not they enter a voluntary agreement with the Commonwealth.

These standards are unenforceable and could be easily ignored or discarded. PennFuture called in March for a statewide moratorium on data center development until decision makers enact policies to regulate data centers in Pennsylvania. The “GRID” Standards fall short because they are neither laws nor regulations and may not even be enforced in the future. We look forward to reviewing any legislation that would implement these standards.

“GRID” also raises critical questions about how data centers will be developed in Pennsylvania. It establishes criteria for the industry to receive certain perks, but it fails to establish minimum standards for development if a project does not take advantage of fast-tracked permits or tax breaks. This gap leaves communities vulnerable to unchecked development and the environmental, economic, and public health impacts that can come with it.

The state House of Representatives has passed numerous measures on a bipartisan basis that address various aspects of Governor Shapiro’s standards and will provide meaningful protection for our communities and natural resources if passed into law. These bills increase transparency around energy consumption and water usage, promote clean energy, and ensure that families and small businesses do not pay for costs associated with data center development.

The “GRID” Standards provide important clarification on Governor Shapiro’s principles for data centers in Pennsylvania. The Governor must work with state legislators to truly mitigate the negative impacts of this rapidly growing industry, and enacting the measures passed by the state House of Representatives is a necessary next step.