Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro Redefines Data Center Development Terms Amid Community Concerns
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has issued Executive Order 2026-05, significantly altering the terms for data center development in the state. This order removes data center projects from the PA Permit Fast Track Program, making them ineligible for expedited review. Previously, in June 2025, Governor Shapiro had announced a $20 billion investment by Amazon in cloud-computing and artificial intelligence campuses across Pennsylvania, touting it as the largest private-sector investment in the state's history and positioning Pennsylvania as a major AI hub. The new executive order does not prohibit data center construction but establishes a more demanding framework for state permits, focusing on energy affordability, transparency, community engagement, workforce development, and environmental protection. Developers opting into the Commonwealth’s GRID framework must make legally binding commitments, including covering the full cost of additional infrastructure and engaging with local residents. Projects decli... 
