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Society, Law & Government 2026-08-25 00:00 UTC edition Story 20 of 24 Gate: passed

Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Ends Fast Track Permitting for AI Data Centers

Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026-05 to remove AI data centers from the state's fast-track program and prohibit the use of nondisclosure agreements.

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New GRID Permitting Requirements

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026-05 to implement the Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Requirements. Under the new rules, the Department of Environmental Protection will evaluate data center permit applications only after developers provide legally binding commitments to these requirements and receive local municipal approval.[1][2]

The administration is also ending fast-track options for these facilities. Governor Shapiro is removing all AI data center projects from the state's Permit Fast Track Program and barring them from future consideration. Furthermore, Executive Order 2026-05 prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements for data center projects in Pennsylvania, forcing developers to operate with greater transparency.[3][4]

The executive order follows growing legislative interest in data center oversight. Senator Lisa Boscola proposed a six-bill data center consumer protection package in January 2026. While the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance supports the GRID requirements to protect ratepayers, environmental groups are pushing for permanent laws. The Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter is calling on the Senate to pass HB 1834 to codify data center guardrails.[5][6][7]

Key takeaways

  • The administration aims to protect ratepayers from energy cost shifts and ensure grid reliability amid the AI-driven data center boom. 1 source

What’s unresolved

  • Legislative codification of GRID standards remains pending in the General Assembly.
  • Potential legal challenges from data center developers regarding the new permitting requirements.

Citations

  1. [1] Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order 2026-05 Establishing Strict Data Center GRID Requirements Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026-05 to implement the Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Requirements. Manifest ID 1787613147292525353 - Pennsylvania Governor Newsroom - interrogate via MCP
  2. [2] Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order 2026-05 Establishing Strict Data Center GRID Requirements The Department of Environmental Protection is directed to evaluate data center permit applications only after developers provide legally binding commitments to GRID requirements and receive local approval. Manifest ID 1787613147292525353 - Pennsylvania Governor Newsroom - interrogate via MCP
  3. [3] Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order 2026-05 Establishing Strict Data Center GRID Requirements Governor Shapiro is removing all AI data center projects from the PA Permit Fast Track Program and barring future consideration for the program. Manifest ID 1787613147292525353 - Pennsylvania Governor Newsroom - interrogate via MCP
  4. [4] Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order 2026-05 Establishing Strict Data Center GRID Requirements Executive Order 2026-05 prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements for data center projects in Pennsylvania. Manifest ID 1787613147292525353 - Pennsylvania Governor Newsroom - interrogate via MCP
  5. [5] Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order 2026-05 Establishing Strict Data Center GRID Requirements Senator Lisa Boscola proposed a six-bill data center consumer protection package in January 2026. Manifest ID 1787613147292525353 - Pennsylvania Governor Newsroom - interrogate via MCP
  6. [6] Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order 2026-05 Establishing Strict Data Center GRID Requirements The Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance supports the GRID requirements as a step to minimize data center impacts on ratepayers. Manifest ID 1787613147292525353 - Pennsylvania Governor Newsroom - interrogate via MCP
  7. [7] Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order 2026-05 Establishing Strict Data Center GRID Requirements The Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter calls on the Senate to pass HB 1834 to codify data center guardrails. Manifest ID 1787613147292525353 - Pennsylvania Governor Newsroom - interrogate via MCP