Overview
- The administration signed Executive Order 2026-05 on Tuesday directing the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to require the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) rules for all new data-center proposals and to remove data centers from the state fast-track permitting program.
- Under the order developers must sign legally enforceable commitments to meet energy affordability, water-conservation, workforce and transparency standards, may not use nondisclosure agreements with state agencies, and must pay for any new energy infrastructure their facilities need.
- The governor’s office published a public map showing more than 100 proposed projects statewide, reporting that 58 have contacted DEP, 15 have applied for at least one permit, and five have received initial permits for first phases of development.
- The order leaves open how projects that already hold permits or are under construction — including Amazon-linked plans in Bucks and Luzerne counties — will be treated, creating legal and financial uncertainty for developers and local communities.
- Shapiro’s move reverses his earlier promotion of fast-track permits and tax incentives for data centers and signals possible wider effects on electricity demand, water supplies, local hiring, and future state incentive policy for large tech projects.