Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Tuesday that removes all AI data center proposals from Pennsylvania's Fast Track permitting process. The order bars state agencies from signing nondisclosure agreements with developers and requires projects to receive local community approval before state permits are granted. Developers must now provide their own power generation, pay for increased electricity costs, and adhere to strict water conservation and transparency standards.
The restrictions mark a significant pivot for Shapiro, who previously courted the industry and touted a $20 billion investment from Amazon. The move follows local opposition and reports of more than 100 data center proposals under discussion in the state. Pennsylvania joins New York and Texas in implementing stricter reviews for the power-intensive facilities used to train artificial intelligence models.
Key sources
- SOURCE@andrewcurran_“bars state agencies from signing nondisclosure agreements on those projects”x.com
- SUPPORT@reuters“Pennsylvania governor signs order imposing new rules to set up AI data centers in state”x.com
- SUPPORT@shanumathew93“requires projects to abide by water conservation standards and pay the costs of higher electricity use, in addition to supplying their own generation”x.com
- SUPPORT@business“strict new guardrails on data centers in the state as local opposition grows against developers”x.com
- SUPPORT@wsj“joining several states that are moving to limit the facilities fueling artificial intelligence’s rise”x.com
- SUPPORT@pitdesi“Shapiro was one of the most pro-data-center governors until recently”x.com
- SOURCE@macfarlanenews“Shapiro cites “unacceptable” number (100+) of data center proposals in PA.”x.com
- SUPPORT@macfarlanenews“Sign legally-binding orders to bring their own power and pay for own power .. and more of that power must be renewable”x.com