Today, Governor Josh Shapiro signed his GRID executive order, which requires new standards for data center developers and eliminates the Fast Track Permitting Program. The new data center requirements cover four key areas: energy affordability, transparency and community engagement, workforce and economic development, and environmental protection. The standards incentivize data centers to use increasingly more clean power over time and introduce energy price protections for Pennsylvanian families and ratepayers. The new standards will also protect Pennsylvania water supplies through water usage requirements and defend health and air quality from harmful emissions from backup diesel generators. Developers will be required to demonstrate that their projects meet all standards and to secure local approval and zoning permits prior to the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permit review.

In response to this executive order, Carolyn Heckman, Associate Director of Pennsylvania Policy for EEN Action (the advocacy partner of the Evangelical Environmental Network) released the following statement:

“As a historic energy leader, Pennsylvania has the opportunity to be a national leader in development while protecting the health and lives of our children. As developers propose to build data centers next to our homes, schools, and playgrounds, they must lead with responsible development that doesn’t bring polluted air, water shortages, and higher power bills to our doorsteps. Governor Shapiro’s executive order is a positive step toward ensuring this happens. However, we can not stop here. We encourage the administration and legislature to work together on lasting bipartisan legislative solutions, like HB 1834, for responsible data center development to protect the health and pocketbooks of Pennsylvania families.”