ICYMI: Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order on Data Centers in PA | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA - Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026-05, directing Commonwealth agencies to require all data center proposals applying for permits with the Commonwealth to comply with the Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Requirements, blocking speculative, irresponsible data center projects from moving forward, giving local communities more power over data center development, and protecting Pennsylvania residents. The Executive Order directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to evaluate permit applications from proposed data centers only if developers have made a legally binding commitment to meet the Governor's GRID Requirements and have received local approval.

The Governor is also immediately removing all AI data center projects from the PA Permit Fast Track Program and will not consider data center projects for the program going forward. Further, the Executive Order implements new public transparency requirements for developers, and makes clear use of nondisclosure agreements with data center projects is not permissible.

This Executive Order lays out strict requirements that data center developers must meet regarding energy affordability, community engagement, workforce and economic development, transparency, and environmental protection - and gives local municipalities a greater say over development in their communities.

Here's what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching about Governor Shapiro's Executive Order on data center development:

CBS Mornings: Josh Shapiro talks implementing restrictions on data center development in Pennsylvania

MS NOW: PA Gov. Josh Shapiro on Regulating Data Centers

NBC News: Gov. Josh Shapiro takes a hard line against 'predatory' data center developers in Pennsylvania

The Washington Post: Pennsylvania will sharply limit data center development, expand review process

Business Insider: Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Cracks Down on Data Centers, Says Speculators Are 'Scaring Our Communities'

Reuters: Pennsylvania governor signs order imposing new rules to set up AI data centers in state

Bloomberg: Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Puts 'Guardrails' on Data Centers

Bloomberg Law: Shapiro Signs Order With Nation's 'Strictest' Data Center Rules

Wall Street Journal: Pennsylvania Becomes Latest State to Restrict Data-Center Construction

CNN: Gov. Josh Shapiro announces new limits on data centers in Pennsylvania

The Hill: Shapiro Signs Order Restricting Data Centers in Pennsylvania

Axios: Shapiro puts new guardrails on Pa. data centers

Central Penn Business Journal: Shapiro signs order to control data center growth in Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Inquirer: In a major shift, Gov. Josh Shapiro restricts data center development in Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Business Times: Gov. Shapiro Signs Executive Order on PA Data Centers

Lancaster Newspaper: Following public outcry on data centers, Shapiro signs wide-ranging regulations for development

PoliticsPA: Shapiro Signs Executive Order Restricting Data Center Development, Giving More Authority to Local Communities

Philly Voice: Gov. Shapiro imposes restrictions on 'speculative' data centers and requires community approval on projects

Pittsburgh Business Times: How Shapiro's new rules will impact local data centers

Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Gov. Shapiro Signs Data Center Executive Order. Critics Say It Falls Short.

Metro Philadelphia: Shapiro Cracks Down on Data Centers Amid Development Boom

State Affairs: Shapiro Issues Order to Curb Rampant Data Center Growth

Washington Examiner: Josh Shapiro signs executive order restricting data center development in Pennsylvania

WVIA: Shapiro order: No data center development without meeting his regulatory standards

WESA: Pa. Gov. Shapiro Signs Executive Order to 'Rein In' Data Center Development

WHYY: Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro signs wide-ranging executive order reining in data center development

The Center Square: Shapiro Reverses Course on Data Center Industry He Once Embraced

KDKA: Shapiro Issues Executive Order Putting Guardrails on Data Centers

CBS 3: Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro signs executive order restricting AI data center development

NBC 10: Gov. Josh Shapiro signs executive order placing guardrails on Pa. data centers

Fox 29: Gov. Shapiro signs executive order putting guardrails on Pennsylvania data centers

Fox 43: Shapiro signs executive order to rein in Pa. data center growth

CBS 21: PA governor signs executive order on AI data centers: 'nation's strictest guardrails'

WGAL: Gov. Shapiro signs executive order establishing stricter requirements on data centers

WJAC: PA Governor Signs Executive Order on AI Data Centers: 'Nation's Strictest Guardrails'

WNEP: Gov. Josh Shapiro says he will sign executive order regulating 'predatory' data center developers

KYW Newsradio: Shapiro Executive Order Puts Guardrails on Pennsylvania Data Center Development

Tri-State Alert: Shapiro Circumvents Legislature, Signs Executive Order to Make GRID Standards Law