Gov. Josh Shapiro said the rules aim to prevent data center construction from inflating residents’ utility bills|BalticServers.com|CC BY-SA 3.0
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro issued an executive order Tuesday establishing strict environmental and transparency safeguards for AI data center projects in the state.
The order requires companies to secure local community approval before moving forward with projects. It also removes data centers from Pennsylvania’s Fast Track permitting program, subjecting them to a more extensive review process.
With the order in immediate effect, Pennsylvania joins the list of states imposing strict regulation on AI data center construction in the US.
- New York enacted a one-year moratorium on large new data centers in July.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott paused new project approvals this month over electric grid reliability concerns.
Gov. Shapiro said the rules aim to protect clean air and water, and prevent such tech projects from inflating residents’ utility bills.
A June Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that only 33% of Americans approve of the current pace of data center construction, and just 14% support building one in their own community.