Shapiro introduces new statewide standards
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is set to announce new guidelines on Tuesday to handle the fast growing rise of data centers across the state. The move comes as data centers become a bigger political issue, especially with concerns growing around electricity costs and environmental impact.
During his annual budget address, Shapiro will present what he calls the “Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development” Standards. These rules are meant to guide how data center projects should operate if they want state support. He will also urge lawmakers to turn these standards into official law.
Shapiro is expected to acknowledge that many Pennsylvanians are worried about how these projects could affect local communities, power bills, and the environment. He will stress that developers must meet strict requirements before receiving help from the state.
What developers must do to qualify for state support
According to Shapiro’s prepared remarks, developers will need to meet four major commitments:
1) Pay for their own power needs
Shapiro will push developers to bring their own power generation or fully cover the cost of any new energy generation required. The goal is to prevent homeowners and businesses from facing higher bills due to these projects.
2) Be transparent and engage communities
He will call for clear public communication and direct community engagement. Shapiro says too many data center plans have been hidden from local residents, leaving them unsure about what is being built and who is behind it.
3) Hire and train local workers
Developers will be asked to employ local workers and invest in workforce training. Shapiro will also encourage community benefit agreements so towns hosting these centers receive funding for local priorities.
4) Protect the environment, especially water use
Shapiro will demand strong environmental safeguards. Water conservation will be highlighted as a major requirement because data centers can consume large amounts of water.
If companies meet these standards, Shapiro will promise faster permitting, more predictable approvals, and possible tax credits.
Data centers and AI are turning into political issues
Shapiro’s announcement comes at a time when artificial intelligence growth is driving massive demand for new data centers nationwide. But the boom is also creating backlash.
In Pennsylvania, residents have raised concerns about:
- rising utility bills,
- pressure on the power grid,
- environmental risks,
- and lack of transparency.
Even though leaders in both parties support AI investment, the rapid expansion is becoming harder to manage. Shapiro and Republican Senator Dave McCormick have both supported efforts to attract AI industry growth, but the footprint of these projects continues to expand quickly.
