HARRISBURG — Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed an executive order establishing new requirements for data center projects seeking state permits in Pennsylvania.
The order directs the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to review permit applications from proposed data centers only after developers have made legally binding commitments to meet the state’s Responsible Infrastructure Development, or GRID, requirements and have received required local approvals.
The requirements address energy costs, environmental protection, community involvement, workforce development and transparency. Among other provisions, developers would be responsible for the costs of new electricity generation and infrastructure needed for their projects rather than shifting those costs to Pennsylvania households and businesses.
The executive order also removes data center projects from Pennsylvania’s Permit Fast Track Program and prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements for data center projects. Developers will also be required to provide information to DEP about their energy and water use.
The new permit review process applies to new data center permit applications going forward. Developers that do not agree to the GRID requirements must obtain required local approvals before DEP begins reviewing their permit applications.
The administration said DEP has become aware of more than 100 proposed data center projects through publicly available information. Of those, 58 projects have engaged with DEP about permitting, 15 have applied for at least one DEP permit and five have received all permits required for their first phase of development.
The order took effect immediately.
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