Shapiro imposes new restrictions on data center development in Pa.

Shapiro signed an executive order Tuesday tightening regulations on data center development as public opposition grows and the issue becomes a focus of the 2026 governor’s race.

• Haley O'Brien/WITF
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  Haley O'Brien joined WITF in 2026. A native of Scranton, she enjoys exploring Pennsylvania's diverse communities. Haley previously worked at NPR/PBS stations in Northeast Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, and has won awards for video storytelling and beat reporting.

Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Tuesday significantly tightening regulations on data center development in Pennsylvania as public opposition grows.  

The order removes all projects from the state’s fast track permitting program and demands more transparency from developers. 

“While curtailing the speed of projects is important, ending the secrecy is important as well,” Shapiro said. “In this executive order, I’m making clear that non-disclosure agreements will not be permissible for data center projects.“ 

According to the state, more than 100 AI data center proposals have been reported in Pennsylvania. Only five have received the permits required for the first phase of development. 

Shapiro, a first-term Democrat running for reelection, said residents have raised concerns about water and energy consumption and potential effects to the local power grid. 

“We will not be bullied by these developers. We will not be bulldozed by the lawyers for these big tech companies,” he said. 

The order directs the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Revenue to update guidelines to ensure developers will pay for electricity, hire local workers and meet high standards for environmental protection. 

The order also signifies a shift for Shapiro, who has been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2028. Shapiro last year celebrated a $20 billion investment from Amazon to build two data centers.  

But public opposition to data centers has grown. A Quinnipiac University poll from July found that 74% of voters don’t want a data center in their community. That poll also found that 34% of voters disapprove of the way Shapiro has handled the emerging industry. 

Shapiro’s Republican challenger State Treasurer Stacy Garrity said in a statement that Shapiro “was the biggest data center cheerleader in the nation” and is now “trying to gaslight the people.” 

Garrity hosted a statewide tour focused on data centers and has said she supports a pause. 

Berwood Yost, director of the center for opinion research at Franklin and Marshall College, said it’s not unusual for political candidates to change their opinions.  

“Politicians of both parties were champions of this kind of development for a long time,” he said. “They’re changing their tune because there’s such strong public sentiment really against it.”  

Shapiro said he was left with “no other option” because the state Senate failed to act on the House-approved GRID requirements establishing high standards for developers, announced by the governor in May.   

Last week, officials in Lancaster County called on the Pa. Senate to return to session and pass moratorium legislation on data center development and give municipalities control.  

Sen. James Malone (D-36), who led the plea for further regulation, applauded the governor’s move and reinforced the need for action in the Senate. 

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) said in a statement that data center transparency is a priority for the Senate.  

“Data center transparency is of chief importance, which is why we took action on this front as part of the 2026-27 state budget passed by the Senate,” he said.  

He said lawmakers are working to position additional legislation for consideration this fall, including proposals that could give municipalities the ability to decide whether to impose local moratoriums on data center development.

• Sources:
• Pa. domestic violence coalition wins federal lawsuit over Trump administration grant conditions
• Whitaker Center issues a ‘call to action’ amid funding challenges
• As data centers expand, Lancaster County officials call for a pause and more local control