Governor Shapiro to Sign Executive Order on Data Center Regulation: Promoting Responsible Infrastructure Development in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is set to sign an executive order related to data centers during a press conference in Harrisburg on Tuesday, August 18th at 1 p.m. ET. Data centers are essential facilities that store and process information, supporting various industries such as finance, cloud services, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
The growth of the AI industry has led to concerns about rising electricity costs and strain on electric grids, prompting backlash from communities across the country, including those in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Critics have raised environmental and job security concerns related to data centers.
In response to these issues, Governor Shapiro released the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards in May, which aim to establish clear guidelines and accountability measures for data center development in Pennsylvania. These standards focus on energy affordability, transparency, community engagement, workforce development, and environmental protection.
Similarly, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill introduced a plan in May to regulate data centers, emphasizing the importance of these facilities paying their fair share, being transparent with the public, investing in local communities, and creating sustainable job opportunities.
Governor Shapiro's upcoming executive order is expected to address key issues surrounding data center development, aligning with efforts to ensure responsible infrastructure development and community engagement. Stay tuned for more details on this important initiative.