Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order on Tuesday imposing new environmental, transparency and community approval requirements for companies seeking to establish AI data centers in the state.
The order, effective immediately, removes all data centers from Pennsylvania’s Fast Track permit program and prohibits state agencies under Shapiro’s jurisdiction from signing non-disclosure agreements with data center developers. Companies must now secure local community approval and meet stricter environmental safeguards before proceeding with projects.
The move reflects broader concerns over the rapid expansion of data centers, which have faced increasing public and regulatory scrutiny nationwide. A June Reuters/Ipsos poll found only about one-third of Americans approve of the current pace of data center construction, with just 14% supporting a facility being built in their own community. Earlier this month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott paused approvals for new projects, while New York imposed a one-year moratorium on large new data centers in July.
Pennsylvania has emerged as a prime location for data centers due to its abundant natural gas supply from the Marcellus shale basin, existing power infrastructure and proximity to major East Coast population centers. The state’s appeal is underscored by Amazon’s announcement last year of a planned $20 billion investment in Pennsylvania, part of a broader push into AI infrastructure.
Shapiro, in a post on X, stated that the order uses executive authority to block projects deemed objectionable and to implement the nation’s strictest protections for residents, aiming to prevent utility cost spikes and safeguard clean air and water rights.
