Data center projects in Pennsylvania face stronger local scrutiny after Shapiro’s executive order

The Conversation reports that Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania signed executive order twenty twenty-six dash five on August eighteenth, tightening state oversight of data center projects. The order removes these facilities from the fast‑track permitting program, bans nondisclosure agreements, and obliges the Department of Environmental Protection to publish a public map of every known data center in the Commonwealth. It also makes state review dependent on developers first obtaining all municipal approvals and creates a two‑tier system: projects that adopt the Governor’s GRID standards – including sourcing clean energy and covering full costs – are reviewed on a rolling basis, while others must wait for local permits before the state even begins its review. This story was published on Tuesday, and analysts say the new rules are likely to slow the rollout of new facilities and give local officials greater leverage over where data centers are built.

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