Harrisburg, PA – Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro released the full Governor's Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) Standards, establishing clear guardrails and accountability measures for data center development in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Built around four core principles, the GRID Standards focus on protecting energy affordability, promoting transparency and community engagement, supporting workforce and economic development, and strengthening environmental protection.
The Shapiro Administration also rolled out a new local government toolkit to help municipalities navigate data center proposals and make informed decisions that work best for their communities, with practical guidance on zoning, infrastructure capacity, resource use, fiscal impacts, and community benefits.
As data center projects continue to grow across the country, the Governor and his Administration are focused on ensuring Pennsylvania can compete for major economic development opportunities while protecting Pennsylvanians, local communities, consumers, and the environment.
Here’s what Pennsylvania's environmental, labor, industry, and local leaders are saying about Governor Shapiro’s leadership in setting clear standards for responsible data center development across the Commonwealth:
Tom Gilbert, President, Pennsylvania Environmental Council: “We commend Governor Shapiro for establishing principles whereby data center development in Pennsylvania avoids undue energy, environmental, and community impacts. In combination with legislation already advancing through the General Assembly with bipartisan support, GRID can help ensure that Pennsylvania develops this industry responsibly by advancing more diverse and clean energy generation, safeguarding water resources, protecting ratepayers, and ensuring transparency and public engagement.”
Michael Zimmerman, Director & Senior Attorney, Clean Affordable Power: "Governor Shapiro is taking an important step toward ensuring data centers support affordable, reliable, and cleaner energy growth. Pennsylvania has more work ahead of it, but by tying incentives to new clean energy and reinforcing strong cost allocation principles, these standards move Pennsylvania in the right direction while helping protect customers and strengthen the grid.”
Katie Blume, Chair, Clean Power PA: “Clean Power PA welcomes Governor Shapiro’s Responsible Infrastructure Development Standards as an important step toward ensuring data center growth in Pennsylvania happens responsibly — with real protections for families, small businesses, and host communities. We’re especially encouraged that the GRID Standards connect data center growth to cleaner power over time... We also appreciate that the Standards elevate common-sense requirements that communities have been demanding: transparency about who is behind a project, early and meaningful public engagement, and enforceable commitments around workforce and local economic benefits... Pennsylvania can welcome new investment — but only if it’s done in a way that puts affordability, accountability, and clean energy at the center.”
Robert Routh, Pennsylvania Policy Director, Climate & Energy, Natural Resources Defense Council: "Governor Shapiro has put a clear stake in the ground. Any data center developer that wants certainty about speed-to-market in Pennsylvania must commit to fully paying for their energy needs. That includes bringing all new capacity – with targets for clean firm energy resources and battery storage – and paying for all associated grid infrastructure upgrades while also being built ‘solar ready.' ... Coupled with the PUC’s recently finalized model guidance on large load interconnections, Pennsylvania is taking important steps to advance energy affordability. Nevertheless, the most significant and effective state guardrails will have the full force of law. Next, the General Assembly must put House Bill 1834 on Governor Shapiro’s desk and amend existing tax law to fully implement the GRID principles.”
Robert Bair, President, Pennsylvania Building Trades: “The Pennsylvania state building trades applauds Governor Shapiro's commitment to building data centers responsibly in the commonwealth. His GRID standards are an excellent example of responsible stewardship. It has the data centers paying their own way, incorporating clean energy into the electricity load, getting community engagement started early in the process, utilizing registered apprenticeship programs, and ensuring responsible water usage. With these basic principles, the Governor is leading the way on responsible economic development.”
Here’s what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching about Governor Shapiro’s leadership in setting clear standards for responsible data center development across the Commonwealth:
POLITICO: Shapiro pushes new standards for Pennsylvania data centers
Lehigh Valley Business Journal: Governor releases GRID standards to control data center development
City & State Pennsylvania: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s new data center standards reflect new reality
WVIA: Gov. Josh Shapiro announces finalized standards for data center developments in Pa.
Daily Item: Shapiro seeks buy-in, legal change in GRID Standards for data centers
WVIA: Shapiro meets Archbald residents, says new data center standards will empower communities
The Center Square: Shapiro, Republican lawmakers pitch separate ideas on data centers
WHYY: Gov. Shapiro announces plan to attract ‘responsible’ data center development
ABC 27: Shapiro unveils standards for data center projects in Pennsylvania
CBS 21: 'Setting a higher bar," Gov. Shapiro calls for new regulations for data center developers
FOX 43: Shapiro launches new GRID standards for data center accountability
2822 News: Governor Shapiro joins Great Data Center Debate
WNEP: Governor Shapiro addresses community concerns over Archbald data center zoning
FOX 56: Governor Shapiro visits Archbald, unveils new GRID standards for data centers
Read the GRID Principles here.