PA Gov. Shapiro Signs Order Requiring Stricter Data Center Regulation

Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order on August 18 aimed at placing new restrictions on data center construction in the state.

The Details: In summary, the Governor's Press Office says Shapiro now requires prospective data developers to legally bind themselves to new state guidelines regarding "energy affordability, community engagement, workforce and economic development, transparency, and environmental protection" that give "local municipalities a greater say over development in their communities."

Key Quote: Shapiro said, "Over the past year, I've listened to the people of Pennsylvania… My message to data center developers is clear: if you can't agree to our strict requirements and get the community where you want to build to say 'yes,' you're not going to have the Commonwealth's support either. These are some of the biggest companies in the world – they can afford to be good neighbors."

Data Centers in PA: Data centers have been a particularly controversial issue in Pennsylvania over the past year. In December, Emerson College polling found that 42% of Pennsylvanians opposed them being built in their neighborhoods, with women opposing them more than men. Quinnipiac University polling published in July found 74% of registered Pennsylvania voters opposed data centers being built in their neighborhoods. The same polling found 34% of registered voters disapproved of Shapiro's handling of data centers, with 24% approving, including 40% of Democrats.

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Political Context: Back in June, Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) introduced a bill in the US House aimed at curbing "large corporations' ability to litigate and attempt to overturn local decisions regarding data centers." Shapiro will face Pennsylvania's Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race in November and currently holds a significant lead in the polls. After signing the order, Garrity called on Shapiro to return $5.7 million in campaign contributions he received from donors involved in AI and data center construction. Philadelphian outlet Broad + Liberty (Lean Right bias) highlighted this in a headline.

Fetterman's Take: Days after Shapiro signed the order, Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) wrote on X, "AI supremacy and energy dominance underpins our national security. China continues to fuel and benefit from our overreaction. I reject the political pandering and hyperbole over data centers or AI doomsdaying." The Washington Examiner (Lean Right) said Fetterman, whom it described as "one of the more centrist Democrats" has "consistently pushed back against such data center and broader AI doomerism throughout the summer, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been forced to take a policy position on an issue that's both new and subject to shifting public opinion."

RELATED: The Wall Street Journal Has a Strong Pro-Data Center Bias | AllSides

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum framed the move as a change of course for Shapiro, with many highlighting that last year he touted Amazon's decision to spend $20 billion on data centers in Pennsylvania. An analysis from Axios (Lean Left) said his pivot "says plenty about the evolving politics of AI" and noted that he is "in the 2028 presidential mix." Chris Kelly of Pennsylvania's Scranton Times-Tribune (Lean Left) said for Shapiro, "any association with the data center invasion would be a heavy burden" on his presidential hopes. Kelly added, "Some may forgive Shapiro for his earnest early cheerleading for data centers, but no one should forget it." Salena Zito of Townhall (Right) called Shapiro's order "striking and a reversal of evolution in the state's approach." She said data centers have "become the boogeyman in the wings of both parties" and called for "neither fear of the industry nor unconditional approval of every proposal."

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